Chapter XX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

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

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

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

From this reading Adeline was sitting downstairs in the living-room, with the children round her.

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

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

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

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

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

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

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

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

plural of “bicycle” — a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

on a floor below

From this reading Adeline was sitting downstairs in the living-room, with the children round her.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

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

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

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

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

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

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

the sound of laughing

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax

From this reading Adeline was sitting downstairs in the living-room, with the children round her.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

calm by deception

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

everlastingly; for all time

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

-ing form of “romp” — play boisterously

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Adeline was sitting downstairs in the living-room, with the children round her.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

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

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

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

From this reading Adeline was sitting downstairs in the living-room, with the children round her.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

wet through and through; thoroughly wet

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

not in physical motion

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading As she entered the house, it seemed to her that the sun was shining.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

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

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

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

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading And she took advantage of a lull in the rain to go to Adeline's in the Bankastraat.

hard to endure

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

not to be accounted for or explained

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.

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

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

look attentively

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Adeline was sitting downstairs in the living-room, with the children round her.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Addie and his father had gone out early, trying the bicycles on the sodden roads; and she was so lonely, still obsessed by that unaccountable sense of depression, that she felt that she must have laughter around her, that she must watch the romping of children, or she would be perpetually bursting into tears.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading The next day, a Sunday, Constance felt a strange longing for youth and laughter, for merry voices and sunny faces.