Chapter XXI

the state of being absent

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Aint been no call at all,” Mammy assured her with conviction.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

(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 “Aint been no call at all,” Mammy assured her with conviction.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading “Aint been no call at all,” Mammy assured her with conviction.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Aint been no call at all,” Mammy assured her with conviction.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Aint been no call at all,” Mammy assured her with conviction.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

From this reading “Aint been no call at all,” Mammy assured her with conviction.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

a digital tape recording of sound

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

an officer holding the rank of major or lieutenant colonel or colonel

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

the act of designating or identifying something

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

continual and persistent demands

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

not any; not one

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

something you have to do

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

in a restless manner

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

moved around an axis or center

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

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 IDENTIFICATION MARIAN VAN NESS turned restlessly away from the window as her old servant came into the sitting room.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Mammy’s antipathy to the telephone was known to her; on occasions she had not answered it in Marian’s absence, having confided to the cook in the next apartment that it was little short of uncanny and she wanted nothing to do with the “devil’s works.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “I jes’ sat in my kitchen wif de do’ open alistenin’ fo’ dat and de do’ bell, as yo’ said yo’ was ’spectin’ company; aint eben been in hyar to tidy up.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Are you quite sure no telephone call has come for me, Mammy?” she asked with gentle insistence.