used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
anew
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
any thing at all
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
bed-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading DOWNSTAIRS IN THE DARK.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
DOWNSTAIRSadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading DOWNSTAIRS IN THE DARK.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
the act of departing
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
gratingnounUS /ˈɡreɪtɪŋ/
a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
grindstonenounUS /ˈɡraɪndstoʊn/
a revolving stone shaped like a disk; used to grind or sharpen or polish edge tools
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DOWNSTAIRS IN THE DARK.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
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 How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
mingleverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəl/
to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
not any; not one
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
punctuatedverbUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːeɪtɪd/
past form of “punctuate” — insert punctuation marks into
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
express in words
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
squeaknounUS /skwiːk/
a short high-pitched noise
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOWNSTAIRS IN THE DARK.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
treadleverb
tread over
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no doubt that it was an actual sound, and not mere imagination.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
at the time that
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Elsie pushed away the bed-clothes which were covering her ear, and listened; then she sat up in bed, and listened again.
which person or people
From this reading Who on earth should want to be grinding anything at that time of night?
in the company of; together with
From this reading How long it had been going on, or when it first began to mingle in a confused manner with her dreams, she could not say; but now she heard it plainly enough, and recognized what it was--the peculiar, grating hiss of a grindstone, punctuated every now and then with a subdued little squeak made by the treadle.
