used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
adequateadjectiveUS /ˈædəkwət/
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
Chermside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
move gently or carefully
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
divisible by two
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
at any time
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
expiationnoun
compensation for a wrong
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
healedadjectiveUS /hiːld/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
intense and profound fear
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
idyllnounUS /ˈaɪdəl/
an episode of such pastoral or romantic charm as to qualify as the subject of a poetic idyll
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
ill-starredadjective
marked by or promising bad fortune
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
iniquitynounUS /ˌɪˈnɪkwɪti/
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
Levison's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
something that is lost
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
manfullyadverbUS /ˈmænfəli/
in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
midsummernounUS /ˈmɪdˈsʌmər/
June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
misdeednounUS /ˈmɪsˈdiːd/
improper or wicked or immoral behavior
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
the act of punishing
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
reconcilingadjectiveUS /ˈrekənsaɪlɪŋ/
tending to reconcile or accommodate; bringing into harmony
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
rejoiceverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/
feel happiness or joy
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
Sarah'snounUS /ˈserəz/
possessive form of “sarah” — (Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
shatteringadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərɪŋ/
seemingly loud enough to break something; violently rattling or clattering
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading That dream of midsummer madness had from the first, he realized, from the nature of the circumstances, been doomed to a rude awakening, in spite of Aunt Sarah's generosity.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHADOW OF HORROR Leslie Chermside, having taken his seat in the launch, felt more at ease in his mind than he had done for many a day.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
precisely as stated
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
viewedverbUS /vjuːd/
past form of “view” — deem to be
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading Ever since he had been told of the suspicion that threatened him in respect of Levison's death, he had been reconciling himself to the loss of Violet.
at the time that
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But with very different feelings had he viewed the possible revelation of his misdeed.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading The shattering of his ill-starred love idyll might be borne manfully, as an adequate punishment for his iniquity, and when time had healed his wound he might even rejoice in his expiation.
