used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
move towards
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading CHANGES.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
house-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
and nothing more
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
something that is lost
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
not in physical motion
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
not any; not one
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
successive (without a break)
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading I met no one at the house-door, or in the kitchen, and walked straight up the stair to my uncle’s room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The blinds were down, and the curtains were drawn, and I could but just see the figure of my aunt seated beside the bed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She rose, and, without a word of greeting, made way for me to approach the form which lay upon it stretched out straight and motionless.
wretchednessnoun
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading The conviction that I was in the presence of death seized me; but instead of the wretchedness of heart and soul which I had expected to follow the loss of my uncle, a something deeper than any will of my own asserted itself, and as it were took the matter from me.
