used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
in addition
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Helène had never been in so wild a country.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Helène had never been in so wild a country.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/
inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
escortnounUS /eˈskɔːrt/
someone who escorts and protects a prominent person
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
set up or found
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
a young female
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
Helène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
hemlocknounUS /ˈhemlɑːk/
poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
of an obscure nature
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Helène had never been in so wild a country.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/
shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
get by special effort
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Helène had never been in so wild a country.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
turbulentadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrbjələnt/
characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading She was watching intently the turbulent waters hurrying in the direction that meant freedom and safety to her, the Princess--and to their escort also.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
which person or people
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
belonging to which person
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Helène had never been in so wild a country.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her back against the protecting trunk of an ancient hemlock, whose exposed gnarled roots gave a good foothold and a secure seat, Helène sat curled up with her feet tucked under her warm skirt.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The woman in her, the existence of which the girl did not suspect, mingled with these fears and desires the mysterious feeling of having found a man who would, with strong arm, come between her and danger.
but in spite of that
From this reading The child in her felt the longing for refuge, the desire to flee from the land that had denied her, but that was yet her own land.
