Chapter XXXI · Chapter 31

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

(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 I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

the state of being certain

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

mistake one thing for another

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

the specified day of the month

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

a female human offspring

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

wanted intensely

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

plural of “errand” — a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

becoming greater or larger

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

immediately past

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

go away from a place

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

engage in

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

no person; not anyone

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

keep busy with

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

so strong as to be irresistible

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

on the contrary

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

coming to understand something clearly and distinctly

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

an idea that is suggested

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

up to a particular time

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

characterized by variety

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her thoughts varied in the afternoon from those which had seized upon her with such vulture's claws in the morning; but they were not less overwhelming in that respect.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading Her mother's suggestion that _she_ and not Elinor should be the witness of that date, and then her ponderings as to that date, her slow certainty that she could make it out, or puzzle it out, as Elinor in her impatience said, which was the last of all things to be desired--had stung the daughter into a new and miserable realization of what it was that was demanded of her, which nobody could do but she.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading What was it that would be demanded of her?

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading I will not confuse the reader with a description of all Elinor's thoughts during the slow progress of that afternoon and evening, which were as the slow passing of a year to her impatient spirit.

a late time of life

From this reading She took the usual afternoon walk with her mother soberly, as became Mrs. Dennistoun's increasing years, and then she made a pretext of some errands in the village to occupy her until dark, or rather to leave her free to twist the thread of her own thoughts as she went along the silent country road.