used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
react verbally
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
completely unclothed
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
the act of burning something
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
fagots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
footfallnounUS /ˈfʊtfɔːl/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
and nothing more
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
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 Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
engage in
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
neatnessnounUS /ˈniːtnəs/
the state of being neat and smart and trim
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
not any; not one
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
win a victory over
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
Identical; not different.
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
cut with a saw
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading Even the forlorn little bed of straw looked as if no one had slept on it.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No answer coming to her knock, Laura pushed the door open, and saw just the same poor little room Grim had described.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
in the direction of
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
unusedadjectiveUS /əˈnjuːzd/
not yet used or soiled
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
showing sorrow
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were fagots burning on the hearth; but though it was so poor and bare, it had an air of neatness and order as if unused.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
at the time that
From this reading Laura was so disappointed that she knew not what to do; but, too tired to make any search, she was about turning away when a light footfall arrested her, and she saw the figure of a weeping child coming towards the hut.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Evidently this was the elder of the two children, for she had the same brown hair Grim had spoken of, but she was so much overcome by sorrow that she did not see Laura until she came quite to the door, and then she started as if with painful surprise.
