used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
ailmentsnounUS /ˈeɪlmənts/
plural of “ailment” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
(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 When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
in addition
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
dearly loved
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
greatly pleased
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading How I loved doing these things for her!
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading How I loved doing these things for her!
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How I loved doing these things for her!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
held dear
From this reading How I loved doing these things for her!
engage in
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
absolutely essential
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
many times at short intervals
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
PenelopenounUS /pəˈneləpi/
(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
refreshverbUS /rɪˈfreʃ/
refresh one's memory
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
Identical; not different.
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading How I loved doing these things for her!
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading How I loved doing these things for her!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
towelsnounUS /ˈtaʊəlz/
plural of “towel” — a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
a source of difficulty
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
on a floor above
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
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 When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
accept gladly
From this reading He was delighted to see me, and gave me a most hearty welcome.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
at the time that
From this reading When Aunt Penelope had finished her little meal, I proceeded to get fresh linen from the linen cupboard upstairs, and fresh, clean towels; I also went down to the kitchen and brought up a big can of hot water, and then I proceeded to wash her face and hands and to change her linen and make her bed, and altogether refresh the dear old lady.
which person or people
From this reading When I had done all that was necessary, the doctor, the same who had attended me so often in my childish ailments, came in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I felt quite happy and my own trouble receded into the background with this employment.
