used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
apparition-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
charwomannounUS /ˈtʃɑːrwʊmən/
a human female employed to do housework
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
intentionally conceived
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
gotten under control
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
a small house with a single story
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
far-offadjective
very far away in space or time
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
insistingnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstɪŋ/
continual and persistent demands
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
petnounUS /pet/
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
in the near future
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
producingverbUS /prəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
with low volume
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
roundaboutadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəbaʊt/
marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
cut with a saw
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
having a supporting base
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
not in physical motion
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
Tibbie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading But each time they had met the charwoman had been conscious of something that seemed to call to her for defence; and presently, raising her head further, she succeeded in bracing her tired mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
unendingadjectiveUS /əˈnendɪŋ/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
vanitiesnounUS /ˈvænətiz/
plural of “vanity” — feelings of excessive pride
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
at the time that
From this reading Emma had been standing as still as a stone when she first saw her, as if intent upon producing that apparition-like effect which seemed to be one of her pet vanities.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She belonged to her own section of this unending day, which was neither the far-off section that contained the House of Dreams, nor this present section which was wholly Tibbie’s.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, however, she came quietly forward and stood by the table, a roundabout figure with folded arms.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For a long moment she stared at her without change of expression, her brain insisting, as it had done of the cottage, that it did not know her.
