used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
anew
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
assuringadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrɪŋ/
giving confidence
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
bathedverbUS /beɪðd/
past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
Blanche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
breakfast-parlor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
comfortedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪd/
made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading No, no!" cried Blanche.
DelawarenounUS /ˈdeləwer/
a river that rises in the Catskills in southeastern New York and flows southward along the border of Pennsylvania with New York and New Jersey to northern Delaware where it empties into Delaware Bay
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
psychological suffering
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a movement into or inward
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
a room where books are kept
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
magistratesnounUS /ˈmædʒɪstreɪts/
plural of “magistrate” — a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
a particular point in time
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
not any; not one
From this reading "Oh, no!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, no!
on one occasion
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
and nothing more
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been prevented from entering the room in which the magistrates sat; but the moment she beheld her brother, she sprang forward, and threw herself into his arms, clinging to his bosom in an agony of distress and tenderness.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the examination had been proceeding in the little breakfast-parlor, the ear of Captain Delaware had been more than once struck by a number of voices speaking in the library, from which it opened: and as he was conducted through that apartment, the first sight that presented itself was his sister, Blanche, bathed in tears.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Captain Delaware kissed her cheek and bade her be comforted, assuring her that the charge against him was not only false, but perfectly absurd; and that a few hours would set him at liberty again.
