Chapter VI

the state of being absent

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

(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 To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

small bushy deciduous tree native to Asia and North Africa having pretty pink blossoms and highly prized edible nuts enclosed in a hard green hull; cultivated in southern Australia and California

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

for the reason that

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

without stop or interruption

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

possessive form of “hardy” — United States slapstick comedian who played the pompous and overbearing member of the Laurel and Hardy duo who made many films (1892-1957)

From this reading HARDY'S STORE-ROOM.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading IN MRS.

located inward

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

plural of “intent” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading IN MRS.

not any; not one

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

by chance

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

with speed

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

cause to ripen or develop fully

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

the season of growth

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading HARDY'S STORE-ROOM.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

in or at that place or location

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

precisely as stated

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

at the time that

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

the state of being an adult woman

From this reading The blossoming of her womanhood had come suddenly, like the blossoming of the almond trees, in one warm burst of spring; but the inner heart, that budded in secret, continued to swell and ripen, in spite of--perhaps because of--the absence of sunshine in her spiritual life.

a late time of life

From this reading To all intents and purposes she was at least five years older when she came home from Adelonga than she was when she went there; and the process of development by no means ceased or slackened at that point.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Rachel was very young, no doubt, but she was growing rapidly.