Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

eagerly desirous

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Mrs. Phil was the first to speak.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

a city in southwestern Switzerland at the western end of Lake Geneva; it is the headquarters of various international organizations

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

the act of retaining something

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

immediately past

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

the literary culture

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

popular aquarium fish

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

a particular point in time

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a brief written record

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

a man who delivers the mail

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a safe place

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

only a very short time before

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

without speaking

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

express in speech

From this reading Mrs. Phil was the first to speak.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

express in words

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

a unit of weight for wool equal to about 28 pounds

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

a shaky motion

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Mrs. Phil burst into tears; Phil himself laid down his brush and changed color; Mollie silently clung to Tod as a refuge, and looked up with trembling lips.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

at the time that

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

which person or people

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IT had come at last,--the letter from Geneva, for which they all had waited with such anxious hearts and so much of dread.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading The postman, bringing it by the morning's delivery, and handing it through the opened door to Aimée, had wondered a little at her excited manner,--she was always excited when these letters came; and the moment she had entered the parlor, holding the hurriedly read note,--it was scarcely more than a note,--there was not one of them who did not understand all before she spoke.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You may as well tell us the worst,” she said; “but it is easy enough to guess what it is, without being told.”