used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Already my wife is a new creature.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already my wife is a new creature.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
contemplatingverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
determine the number or amount of
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Already my wife is a new creature.
declineverbUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
grow worse
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
doctorsnounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
plural of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Already my wife is a new creature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
nestledadjectiveUS /ˈnesəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Already my wife is a new creature.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
housing available for people to live in
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
recommendedverbUS /ˌrekəˈmendɪd/
past form of “recommend” — push for something
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
Stephanie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS It was an hour before the Count returned to the nursery.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Already my wife is a new creature.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now her joy is so great that it was with difficulty that I could tear myself away from contemplating her happiness, but the doctor came in and recommended that she should try and sleep for a time, or if she could not sleep that she should at least lie absolutely quiet, so Stephanie has nestled down by her side, and I was able to come to you."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I had begun to think that I should lose her too, for the doctors told me frankly that they feared she would fall into a decline.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Ah, my friend," he said, "what happiness have you brought to us.
