used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SCUDDER kissed her daughter, and left her.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
beckoningverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a female human offspring
From this reading SCUDDER kissed her daughter, and left her.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
brought together in one place
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
ghostlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊstli/
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SCUDDER kissed her daughter, and left her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading SCUDDER kissed her daughter, and left her.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading SCUDDER kissed her daughter, and left her.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MRS.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
SCUDDER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCUDDER kissed her daughter, and left her.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
silkyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlki/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading After a moment’s thought, Mary gathered the long silky folds of hair around her head, and knotted them for the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
toilet-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then leaning forward on her toilet-table, she folded her hands together, and stood regarding the reflection of herself in the mirror.
not known
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
visiblyadverbUS /ˈvɪzəbli/
in a visible manner
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nothing is capable of more ghostly effect than such a silent, lonely contemplation of that mysterious image of ourselves which seems to look out of an infinite depth in the mirror, as if it were our own soul beckoning to us visibly from unknown regions.
