used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
errandsnounUS /ˈerəndz/
plural of “errand” — a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
grimenounUS /ɡraɪm/
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
MarshallnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
United States actor (1914-1998)
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
Marshall'snounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəlz/
possessive form of “marshall” — United States actor (1914-1998)
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
information about recent and important events
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
rush-bottomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
only a very short time before
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
an educational institution
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
a male human offspring
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
stainsnounUS /steɪnz/
plural of “stain” — a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
at the time that
From this reading It was only on days when Father was off to town on errands that she allowed herself the momentary weakness of tears.
in or at the place that
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading So she had stood the day the awful news of his fiery death had come, while Father sat in his rush-bottomed chair and groaned.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
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 Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mother Marshall stood by the kitchen window, with her cheek against a boy's old soft felt hat, and she looked out into the gathering dusk for Father.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading The hat was so old and worn that its original shape and color were scarcely distinguishable, and there was one spot where Mother Marshall's tears had washed some of the grime away into deeper stains about it.
a late time of life
From this reading So she had stood in former years looking out into the dusk for her son to come whistling home from school.
