used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
matters of personal concern
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
from appearances alone
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And then she knew that the two years were over, and that Hubert must be free.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
CynthianounUS /ˈsɪnθiə/
(Greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo; identified with Roman Diana
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Free--or dead!
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
EnidnounUS /ˈiːnɪd/
a town in north central Oklahoma
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
Enid's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
eternitynounUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəti/
time without end
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading And then she knew that the two years were over, and that Hubert must be free.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
destroyed or killed
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
Hubert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
insufficientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading And then she knew that the two years were over, and that Hubert must be free.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
immediately past
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
Lepel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
the literary culture
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
miserablyadverbUS /ˈmɪzərəbli/
in a miserable manner
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading And then she knew that the two years were over, and that Hubert must be free.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
occupationsnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃənz/
plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Free--or dead!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And then she knew that the two years were over, and that Hubert must be free.
prizedverbUS /praɪzd/
past form of “prize” — hold dear
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
the act of punishing
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading She did not talk about him to any one; she interested herself apparently in the affairs of her father's house; she made a thousand occupations for herself in the new land to which she had gone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading Occasionally she had a letter--which she dearly prized--from Enid Vane, and in these letters she heard a little now and then about Hubert; but, after Enid's marriage, the letters became less frequent, and at last ceased altogether.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
a late time of life
From this reading The newspapers had cried out that Hubert Lepel's two years were a miserably insufficient punishment for the crime of which he had been guilty; but to Cynthia it seemed as if those two years were an eternity.
