used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
(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 day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
crippleverbUS /ˈkrɪpəl/
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
crustnounUS /krʌst/
the outer layer of the Earth
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
crutchesnounUS /ˈkrʌtʃɪz/
plural of “crutch” — a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
at any time
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
feather-stitching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
flaggedverbUS /flæɡd/
inflected form of “flag” — communicate or signal with a flag
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
heapsnounUS /hiːps/
a large number or amount
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
industrialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəl/
of or relating to or resulting from industry
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
inscriptionnounUS /ˌɪnˈskrɪpʃən/
letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
a boy or man
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
Macara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
MegnounUS /meɡ/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
monotonouslyadverb
in a monotonous manner
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
needlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
PARALYSED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading All day long he lay on the cold flagged pavement begging his daily bread.
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
regretsnounUS /rɪˈɡrets/
a polite refusal of an invitation
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
ricketsnounUS /ˈrɪkɪts/
childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D and sunlight associated with impaired metabolism of calcium and phosphorus
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
salutationnoun
an act of honor or courteous recognition
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
an educational institution
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
scissorsnounUS /ˈsɪzərz/
an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading In the morning the cripple next door clattered downstairs on crutches, the card with the rude inscription, PARALYSED FOR LIFE, shaking to and fro as he moved.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
shirtsnounUS /ʃɜːrts/
plural of “shirt” — a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/
plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Tommy Macara, the lad with the rickets, came out singing to the landing on his way to the industrial school.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
a Caucasian
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE PASSING DAYS I They came and went, days monotonously slow, each bearing with it its burden of sorrows and regrets, of fear and unhappiness.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The life of the two women was ever the same: out of bed at five in the morning, a salutation exchanged with old Meg as she went to her work; breakfast--a crust of bread and a cup of tea; the light, weak and sickly, peeping through the narrow, murky window, the eternal scissors and needles, the white heaps of shirts, the feather-stitching and finishing.
