used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
in addition
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
entreatynounUS /enˈtriːti/
earnest or urgent request
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
forgivenessnounUS /fərˈɡɪvnəs/
compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
not accessible to view
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
high-pitchedadjective
used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
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 GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
information about recent and important events
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
perchanceadverbUS /pərˈtʃæns/
through chance
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
pleadingnounUS /ˈpliːdɪŋ/
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
express in words
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
sinnedverbUS /sɪnd/
inflected form of “sin” — commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
a state of acute pain
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
a special situation
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Plainly the bad news had already been told to her, and Bertha clenched her hands hard at the thought of the pain she must be suffering.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
showing sorrow
From this reading Her face was hidden in her hands, and she appeared to be weeping bitterly.
in or at the place that
From this reading GRACE was not on the couch where she had lain so long, but was sitting in a chair by the stove.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
a Caucasian
From this reading But the amazing thing was that a frail old man knelt at her feet, his straggling white hair hanging down on the collar of his coat, his hands clasped in entreaty, while he was speaking in a high-pitched wavering voice, pleading as if his life depended on his gaining the thing for which he asked.
which person or people
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Say, is there enough goodness and charity in your heart to enable you to forgive an old man who has sinned so sorely, that if you will not forgive him, perchance he will lack forgiveness from heaven also?
