used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading "I just can't do another stitch!"
arm'snounUS /ɑːrmz/
possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
on or to one side
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I just can't do another stitch!"
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
CoranounUS /ˈkɔːrə/
(Greek mythology) daughter of Zeus and Demeter; made queen of the underworld by Pluto in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Proserpina
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I just can't do another stitch!"
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
an opening into or through something
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I just can't do another stitch!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
and nothing more
From this reading "I just can't do another stitch!"
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
set down according to a plan
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
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 held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
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 The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
mendingnounUS /ˈmendɪŋ/
garments that must be repaired
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
easily agitated
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
information about recent and important events
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
repairnounUS /rɪˈper/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
SHIPWRECKnounUS /ˈʃɪprek/
a wrecked ship (or a part of one)
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading The long, breathing sigh which followed her rising from the chair, was audible across the room.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
spread-outadjective
especially spread in a fan shape
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
stitchnounUS /stɪtʃ/
a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing
From this reading "I just can't do another stitch!"
stockingsnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/
plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
at the time that
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
in or at the place that
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
which person or people
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading "What's the matter?" asked Bess, who, seated near a window, where the light was best, was industriously engaged in mending a hole in one of her silk stockings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading NEWS OF SHIPWRECK Cora, with an impatient, nervous gesture, laid aside the piece of lace upon which she was engaged.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She held it off at arm's length, on her spread-out hand, as if to judge whether the repair would show when the article was worn.
