used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
alertnessnounUS /əˈlɜːrtnəs/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
armingnounUS /ˈɑːrmɪŋ/
the act of equiping with weapons in preparation for war
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
atticnounUS /ˈætɪk/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
BARBARA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
bedewedadjective
wet with dew
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
give encouragement to
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/
past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
power to direct or determine
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
dearly loved
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/
move away from a place into another direction
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
Erskine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
forebodingnounUS /fɔːrˈboʊdɪŋ/
a feeling of evil to come
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
HEARSverbUS /hiːrz/
third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
a social unit living together
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
engage in
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
in motion
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
information about recent and important events
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
not any; not one
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
on one occasion
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
PREPARESverbUS /priˈperz/
third-person singular of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
propheciesnounUS /ˈprɑːfəsiz/
plural of “prophecy” — knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
the possibility of future success
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
express the need or desire for
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
scannedverbUS /skænd/
inflected form of “scan” — examine minutely or intensely
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
sharernounUS /ˈʃerər/
someone who has or gives or receives a part or a share
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
term of address for a man
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
express in speech
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The household was early astir as usual, and at once the bustle of preparation seemed to spread from attic to cellar.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
(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 Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading SIR JOHN PREPARES FOR ACTION, AND BARBARA HEARS MANY STRANGE THINGS Whatever tears bedewed the pillow of my dear Lady Erskine that night there was no sign of them in the morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sir John was about to depart once more, and though I scanned my lady’s face for that look of foreboding and dissatisfaction that I expected to see, so well did she have her heart in control that no shadow of it appeared; indeed, there was an air of alertness about her manner of moving and speaking which took me by surprise.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
wontedadjective
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading At her request Sir John consented to make me a sharer of the news that had arrived the night before, and drawing me into his room he closed the door, and bidding me come close to him he said in a low voice, but with his wonted smile,
the words that are spoken
From this reading Instead of the fearful wife mourning over the prospect of her coming loneliness, there was the brave woman arming her husband, so to speak, for the battle, and sending him from her with words of cheer and glad prophecies of victory.
