used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She went to church alone on this first Sunday morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
AustinnounUS /ˈɔːstən/
state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
awaitverbUS /əˈweɪt/
look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
bleakeradjectiveUS /ˈbliːkər/
comparative of “bleak” — offering little or no hope
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
BrusselsnounUS /ˈbrʌsəlz/
the capital and largest city of Belgium; seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading She went to church alone on this first Sunday morning.
Clarissa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
DanielnounUS /ˈdænjəl/
(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
dawdlingnounUS /ˈdɔːdlɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
the act of discovering something
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She went to church alone on this first Sunday morning.
flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/
past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
GrangernounUS /ˈɡreɪndʒər/
a person who operates a farm
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
hourlyadjectiveUS /ˈaʊrli/
occurring every hour or payable by the hour
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading She went to church alone on this first Sunday morning.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
the middle of the day
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
not often
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
TEMPTATIONnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading TEMPTATION.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She went to church alone on this first Sunday morning.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading She lived in hourly fear of discovery, and was startled by every step on the staircase and fluttered by every sudden opening of a door, expecting to see Daniel Granger on the threshold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
tremblingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Austin was seldom visible before noon, dawdling away the bleaker morning hours smoking and reading in bed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went to church alone on this first Sunday morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
wrestverbUS /rest/
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
From this reading It was Sunday; and Clarissa had been nearly a week in Brussels--a very quiet week, in which she had had nothing to do but worship her baby, and tremblingly await any attempt that might be made to wrest him from her.
