used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
admittingverbUS /ædˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
adonounUS /əˈduː/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
BuchanannounUS /bjuːˈkænən/
15th President of the United States (1791-1868)
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
give encouragement to
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
continuitynounUS /ˌkɑːntəˈnuːəti/
uninterrupted connection or union
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
despondentadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɑːndənt/
without or almost without hope
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
extinguishverbUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
put an end to; kill
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE STUDY.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
a particular point in time
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/
shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
restoringverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading IN THE STUDY.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE STUDY.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
propel through the air
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
travailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Buchanan put down the window, and drew the blind, restoring the continuity and protecting enclosure of the walls; for there are times and moods when an opening upon infinite air and space is too much for the soul travailing among the elements of earth.
in or at the place that
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The hour was heavier to the parents up-stairs, where the minister was so despondent and depressed that his wife had hard ado to cheer him.
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 The window which down-stairs they had heard him throw open, stood wide to the night, admitting a breeze which blew about the flame of the candles, threatening every moment to extinguish them; for the air, though soft and warm, blew in almost violently fresh from the sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She went to his side and stood by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
