Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

later than; following

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

anew

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

(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 All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

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

From this reading JANE CHESTER AND HER LITTLE NURSES.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

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

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

lacking funds

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

make calm or still

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)

From this reading JANE CHESTER AND HER LITTLE NURSES.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

state of violent mental agitation

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

wet with dew

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

opinion or judgment

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

affected with or marked by frenzy or mania uncontrolled by reason

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

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

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

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

From this reading JANE CHESTER AND HER LITTLE NURSES.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the act of retaining something

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

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

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

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

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

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

From this reading JANE CHESTER AND HER LITTLE NURSES.

past form of “jostle” — make one's way by jostling, pushing, or shoving

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

material for starting a fire

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

held up in the air

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

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

From this reading JANE CHESTER AND HER LITTLE NURSES.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

engage in

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

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

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)

From this reading JANE CHESTER AND HER LITTLE NURSES.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

on one occasion

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

fully extended especially in length

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

shake with fast, tremulous movements

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

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

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

with low volume

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a person suffering from an illness

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

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

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

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

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

precisely as stated

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

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

From this reading All at once, in the very height and fury of her delirium, Mrs. Chester fell back upon the pillow smiling; the hot tears rolled from her eyes, and her shaking hand was outstretched.

at the time that

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

in or at the place that

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

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

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

which person or people

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the starbeams come earthward, and smile on the night, Awaking the blossoms that drooped in the day, And kindling their hearts with a dewy delight, They came to the couch where the sufferer lay.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "Children--_my_ children!" whispered the poor woman, softly, for, after they came in, she never once lifted her voice as she had done, "come, I will make room--the bed is cool and broad--better, so much better than that in which they shook and jostled me--come, my little tired birds--here is pillow enough for us all; when he comes home again it will please him to see us here, so comfortable.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She knew them--for one minute, that woman's heart grew stronger than her frenzied brain, She knew those two little girls who crept hand in hand to her couch, holding back their tears, and striving to look cheerful; though each smile that they forced broke away in a quiver upon their lips, and the very effort to be calm made their grief more visible.