used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
make calm or still
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
one or the other of two
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
every person
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
a long fixed look
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
hipsnounUS /hɪps/
plural of “hip” — either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
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 There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
lilacnounUS /ˈlaɪlæk/
any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
naturesnounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
plantedadjectiveUS /ˈplæntɪd/
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
reverseverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrs/
change to the contrary
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
cut with a saw
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
having a supporting base
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
a special situation
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
in the direction of
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
uninterestedadjectiveUS /əˈnɪntrəstɪd/
not having or showing interest
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was not ashamed to be seen standing there waiting for the great good thing that was certainly coming her way.
wedding-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, slanting towards her over the houses, brought out the original lilac of her faded gown, burnished her hair into actual silver and caught at the wedding-ring on her hand.
(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 Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From either side of the street they looked out and saw her there, and according to their natures were either interested or uninterested, sympathetic or the reverse.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Out in the clear September sunshine she planted herself well beyond the doorstep and a yard or two down the road, feet apart, hands on her hips, and her calm but interested gaze staring steadily down the hill.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading There could be nothing forward or lacking in delicacy in waiting about for what everybody knew to be your own.
