Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

(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 Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

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

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading That aunt was fading away.

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

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

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

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

delicately beautiful

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

feelings of ardent love

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

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

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

at any time

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

apart from; not including

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

weakening in force or intensity

From this reading That aunt was fading away.

past form of “fertilize” — provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

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

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

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

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

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

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

a message describing how something is to be done

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

with respect to material aspects

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

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

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

on one occasion

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

with low volume

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

coming to full development; becoming mature

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

plural of “saying” — a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

an educational institution

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

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

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

the process of becoming softer

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

the state of being covered with unclean things

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

compliant and obedient to authority

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

plural of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

doomed to extinction

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

a fact that has been verified

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

the property of changing readily from a solid or liquid to a vapor

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading Erminia was sent to school somewhere in France, to receive more regular instruction than she could have in the house with her invalid aunt.

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

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

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

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

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

From this reading Maggie's devotion added materially to her happiness; and both she and Maggie never forgot that this devotion was to be in all things subservient to the duty which she owed to her mother.

plural of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

a late time of life

From this reading But she came home once a year, more lovely and elegant and dainty than ever; and Maggie thought, with truth, that ripening years were softening down her volatility, and that her aunt's dewlike sayings had quietly sunk deep, and fertilized the soil.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Summers and winters came and went, with little to mark them, except the growth of the trees, and the quiet progress of young creatures.