Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
analogous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/
any person at all
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
borrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
brought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
conversations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
cost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
customary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
debts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
distraction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
found
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
francs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
godfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
guessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
Hubert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
indignation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
Intensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
journey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
maintain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
many-sidedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
momentary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
moralists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
mothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
ordains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
prevent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
proof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
required
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
rest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
settling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
thorough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our feelings seem to maintain a sort of life and death struggle against one another in our hearts.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that he had guessed that for many days they had been holding conversations together analogous to that of the evening on which he had borrowed from his godfather the three thousand francs which he required for settling his debts and meeting the cost of his journey.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
weakening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Intensity of existence in anyone among them, though it be but momentary, is only to be obtained at the cost of weakening all the rest.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If any proof of the thorough many-sidedness of our nature were required, it might be found in that law which is a customary object of indignation with moralists, and which ordains that the sight of the sorrow of our most loved ones cannot, at certain times, prevent us from being happy.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is certain that Hubert loved his two mothers--as he always called the two women who had brought him up--to distraction.
