used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
APOLOGYnounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
church-pew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
without stop or interruption
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
cushionedadjectiveUS /ˈkʊʃənd/
softened by the addition of cushions or padding
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
DorisnounUS /ˈdɔːrəs/
(Greek mythology) wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
endeavoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
start firing a weapon
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
hobbledverbUS /ˈhɑːbəld/
past form of “hobble” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
IronsidenounUS /ˈaɪərnsaɪd/
a man of great strength or bravery
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
Jeff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
mud-caked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
oak-raftered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
and nothing more
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
protestedverbUS /prəˈtestɪd/
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
sipnounUS /sɪp/
a small drink
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
past form of “thank” — express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
unlacedadjective
with laces not tied
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As he finally drew them off she thanked him in a small, shy voice.
at the time that
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She looked about her with interest the while she endeavoured to sip a cup of steaming milk treated with brandy that Jeff Ironside had brought her.
woesnounUS /woʊz/
plural of “woe” — misery resulting from affliction
From this reading THE APOLOGY On an old oaken settle, cushioned like a church-pew, before a generous, open fire, Doris began to forget her woes.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading An old, old woman hobbled about the oak-raftered kitchen behind her while Jeff himself knelt before her and unlaced her mud-caked boots.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would have protested against his doing this had protest been of the smallest avail, but when she attempted it he only smiled a faint, grim smile and continued his task.
