used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
alarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
eagerly desirous
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
BellinghamnounUS /ˈbelɪŋhæm/
a town in northwestern Washington on a bay near the Canadian border
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the doctor, when he came, was more consoling than alarming.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But the doctor, when he came, was more consoling than alarming.
consolingadjectiveUS /kənˈsoʊlɪŋ/
affording comfort or solace
From this reading But the doctor, when he came, was more consoling than alarming.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading But the doctor, when he came, was more consoling than alarming.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
made afraid
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a long fixed look
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a young female
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
large-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
engage in
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But the doctor, when he came, was more consoling than alarming.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
paternallyadverb
in a paternal manner
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
scoldingnounUS /ˈskoʊldɪŋ/
rebuking a person harshly
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
in the near future
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But the doctor, when he came, was more consoling than alarming.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was nothing to be frightened about, he said, scolding Margaret, paternally.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading Mrs. Bellingham and Miss Leslie arrived as soon as convenient trains could bring them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
at the time that
From this reading When he spoke to her, her eyes filled, and she did not seem able to keep that anxious gaze from his face.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
which person or people
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
belonging to which person
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/
showing pensive sadness
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading The summons which Margaret wrote later that day, taking down her father’s message from his lips, was not instant, though as decided as he could make it without too much alarming the girl, whose nerves were shaken, and who sat and gazed at him with a wistful countenance, large-eyed and dismal, watching every look.
