used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
Ayliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
commendations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
a small house with a single story
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
dreamful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
elaboratelyadverbUS /ɪˈlæbrətli/
with elaboration
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
Emily's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emily's night was not peaceful.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
divisible by two
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
fatiguenounUS /fəˈtiːɡ/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
Hazleton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
menacingadjectiveUS /ˈmenəsɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
mercifullyadverbUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəliː/
in a compassionate manner
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Emily's night was not peaceful.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Emily's night was not peaceful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading Emily's night was not peaceful.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
scowlnounUS /skaʊl/
a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
the act of using
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
precisely as stated
From this reading The very idea that her father's fate was in the power of any other man, was, in itself, trouble enough; but in the present case there was more.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Sleep visited not her eyes for many an hour, and when at length her eyes closed through fatigue, it was restless and dreamful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Emily's night was not peaceful.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
at the time that
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
whereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why, or wherefore, she knew not; but there was something told her that, in spite of all Mrs. Hazleton's commendations, and the fair portrait she had so elaborately drawn, John Ayliffe was not a man to use power mercifully.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She tried eagerly to discover what had created this impression: she thought of every look and every word which she had seen upon the young man's countenance, or heard from his lips; and she fixed at length more upon the menacing scowl which she had marked upon his brow in the cottage, than even upon the menacing language which he had held when her father's name was mentioned.
