used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
in actual fact
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
anew
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
arbitraryadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrbətreri/
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
broaderadjectiveUS /ˈbrɔːdər/
comparative of “broad” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
a person who is in charge
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
a young person of either sex
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
intentionally conceived
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
conservingverbUS /kənˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
-ing form of “conserve” — keep constant through physical or chemical reactions or evolutionary change
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
dartsnounUS /dɑːrts/
a game in which small pointed missiles are thrown at a dartboard
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
divisible by two
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
eventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
hemnounUS /hem/
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
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 While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
lightningsnounUS /ˈlaɪtnɪŋz/
plural of “lightning” — abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
musingsnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋz/
plural of “musing” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
outcrynounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪ/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
a course of conduct
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
perspectivenounUS /pərˈspektɪv/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
with speed
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
subconsciousadjectiveUS /səbˈkɑːnʃəs/
just below the level of consciousness
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
traveledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
a vivid mental image
From this reading She seemed to have a broader vision, a new perspective upon a situation in which she was herself the chief conserving factor.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
at the time that
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
in or at the place that
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was as if the outcry which had burst the door of patience had set her old mind free to wander.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The old wife, sitting alone, sleepless always when her man was making a night trip, was even before his summons to-night painfully awake.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading While she kept the child within her door well in her subconscious care, and knew by her regular breathing that she slept: while she felt the near presence of the dog on guard at her skirts' hem, her conscious thoughts were far away.
a late time of life
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
zigzaggingverbUS /ˈzɪɡzæɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “zigzag” — travel along a zigzag path
From this reading Quickly even as lightning darts, zigzagging a path of light from one remote point to another in its eccentric course--her dim eyes actually resting upon the night skies where the lightnings play--she traveled again in her musings the arbitrary paths of fate from one crisis to another in the eventful latter years of her life.
