used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
move towards
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
armfulnoun
the quantity that can be contained in the arms
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Her astonishment was entirely genuine.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Her astonishment was entirely genuine.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
FischernounUS /ˈfɪʃər/
German chemist noted for his synthesis of hemin (1881-1945)
From this reading "Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading Her astonishment was entirely genuine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
LaplandnounUS /ˈlæplænd/
a region in northmost Europe inhabited by Lapps
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
a female domestic
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
Pamela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
only a very short time before
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
Tilbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
at the time that
From this reading She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar figure.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck steward with her rugs.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why, how on earth did you catch this steamer?
