used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
anew
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
aggravationnounUS /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/
an exasperated feeling of annoyance
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
(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 The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Mary was almost beside herself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
have
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Mary was almost beside herself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
make calm or still
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
divisible by two
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mary was almost beside herself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
provoking horror
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
intense and profound fear
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
Landale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
the sound of laughing
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
the sound of laughing
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary was almost beside herself.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
and nothing more
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
secondaryadjectiveUS /ˈsekənderi/
being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
in or at that place or location
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
a special situation
From this reading It seemed almost a secondary thing to her that Roger was killed--if there could be but silence again, if they could but be free of that horrible laugh.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
tolerateverbUS /ˈtɑːləreɪt/
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mary was almost beside herself.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is the matter?" said calmly a smooth and even voice.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The servants had all gone into the ruins with Charley Landale at their head to help, and she stood outside in an anguish of despair and horror, calling out unconsciously to stop him, to stop him!
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The voice which now addressed her ought to have been the dearest voice in the world to Mary, but its calm and even tone seemed, on the contrary, an aggravation, only a little less horrible than the sound of that laughter, which she could neither bear nor tolerate.
