used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
at or in the front
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
assurancesnounUS /əˈʃʊrənsɪz/
plural of “assurance” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
Bessy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
exchangingverbUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “exchange” — give to, and receive from, one another
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
depressingly dark
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
hopefuladjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpfəl/
having or manifesting hope
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
inventingverbUS /ˌɪnˈventɪŋ/
-ing form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
IsaacnounUS /ˈaɪzək/
(Old Testament) the second patriarch; son of Abraham and Sarah who was offered by Abraham as a sacrifice to God; father of Jacob and Esau
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
Isaac's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
profitsnounUS /ˈprɑːfɪts/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
possessing sweep
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
theoriesnounUS /ˈθɪriz/
plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But certainly, Uncle Isaac must not be offended now that things looked so gloomy ahead.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Uncle Isaac’s visit swept away the day’s profits and a trifle more.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading But in the morning each pillow had its wet spot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading Bessy lay, and strained her wits far into the night, inventing comfortable theories and assurances, and exchanging them with her mother for others as hopeful.
XIInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading XII.
