used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading It seemed the very height of absurdity.
how long something has existed
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
asylumnounUS /əˈsaɪləm/
a shelter from danger or hardship
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
DURANCEnoun
imprisonment (especially for a long time)
From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.
enlightenedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənd/
having knowledge and spiritual insight
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
forciblyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrsəbli/
in a forcible manner
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
a young female
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading It seemed the very height of absurdity.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
immured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed the very height of absurdity.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
lunaticadjectiveUS /ˈluːnətɪk/
insane and believed to be affected by the phases of the moon
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seemed the very height of absurdity.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed the very height of absurdity.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
precisely as stated
From this reading It seemed the very height of absurdity.
VILEadjectiveUS /vaɪl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading IN DURANCE VILE.
Violet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Violet’s eyes flashed with indignation at the old woman’s words.
but in spite of that
From this reading Surely, this was a grim jest; yet equally certain was the girl that the announcement could not be true.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In this enlightened age it was not probable that a young woman could be carried forcibly away from home and friends and be immured in a lunatic asylum.
