used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
avertedverbUS /əˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
have
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
the act of departing
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
KellynounUS /ˈkeli/
United States circus clown (1898-1979)
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
nailedverbUS /neɪld/
past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
and nothing more
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
slatsnounUS /slæts/
plural of “slat” — a thin strip (wood or metal)
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
sobverbUS /sɑːb/
weep convulsively
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
Stacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
not in physical motion
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She stood by as George Kelly nailed slats across the door.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
stropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already she had put out the fire on the hearth, and about her ankles a lean cat stropped its arched back.
carry out
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
unmanning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bear Cat had averted his face, but he heard the spasmodic sob of her farewell and the strange unmanning rattle in the husband's throat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
in or at the place that
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bear Cat Stacy had gone with George Kelly to the house where his wife was awaiting him that night, and though he had remained outside while the husband went in, it was not hard to guess something of what took place.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The wife of only a few months came out a little later with eyes that were still wet with tears, and with what things she was going to take away with her, wrapped in a shawl.
