Chapter IV

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

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

(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 seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

a quantity of money

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

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

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

without doubt or question

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

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

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

put on clothes

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

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

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

divisible by two

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

at any time

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading She seemed to hear herself trying to explain to them.

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

a social unit living together

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

made afraid

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading She seemed to hear herself trying to explain to them.

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

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

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

cause to arise

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

not any; not one

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

and nothing more

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

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

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

cut with a saw

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

an educational institution

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

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

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

having a supporting base

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

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

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She seemed to hear herself trying to explain to them.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading Miss Ellingwood herself came to laugh heartily at it, but no amount of teasing could ever induce Sarah even to smile.

joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

hard to endure

From this reading She seemed to hear herself trying to explain to them.

(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

up to a particular time

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

which person or people

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

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

From this reading It seemed an hour until Miss Ellingwood spoke, and in that time Sarah saw clearly not only the laughing, triumphant faces of her room-mates immediately before her, but of all the family at home: William and Laura, who were sending her to school at a great sacrifice, the twins and Albert, who had faith in her, and to whom she should have been an example.

in the company of; together with

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.

a late time of life

From this reading SARAH EXPLAINS Many years afterward Sarah said that nothing in her life had ever frightened her like the sight of Miss Ellingwood standing outside her door, with the water dripping from her hair and dress.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You see, it was this way," she would begin.