used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
CONFESSIONnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading THE CONFESSION.
Courland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
FishernounUS /ˈfɪʃər/
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
FloranounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
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 "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
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 The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
motionedverbUS /ˈmoʊʃənd/
past form of “motion” — show, express or direct through movement
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
held or filled or in use
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
on one occasion
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
in the near future
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
recogniseverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
show approval or appreciation of
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
To recall to mind.
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
not in physical motion
From this reading "I remember you, now," said Mrs. Courland involuntarily, shrinking further from the bed, as if still afraid of the poor helpless creature before her.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The name you first knew me by was Fisher; I then changed it more than once, for reasons you shall know presently."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CONFESSION.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
well-furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
which person or people
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was a comfortable and well-furnished bedroom; but instead of finding Flora there, as Mrs. Courland expected, the bed was occupied by an elderly woman, who appeared very ill, and was sitting up in the bed supported by pillows.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She motioned her visitors to be seated, and then said in a feeble voice,-- "You do not recognise me, Mrs. Courland: illness makes great changes in the human frame.
