used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
accedeverbUS /ækˈsiːd/
yield to another's wish or opinion
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
any thing at all
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
put or send forth
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Go, of course! that was certain.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Go, of course! that was certain.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
DamoclesnounUS /ˈdæməkliːz/
the Greek courtier to Dionysius the Elder who (according to legend) was condemned to sit under a naked sword that was suspended by a hair in order to demonstrate to him that being a king was not the happy state Damocles had said it was (4th century BC)
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Go, of course! that was certain.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/
past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
Julie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
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 Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
engage in
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
missivenounUS /ˈmɪsɪv/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
pangnounUS /pæŋ/
a sudden sharp feeling
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
paralyseverb
make powerless and unable to function
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
proposeverbUS /prəˈpoʊz/
make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
on the contrary
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
get by special effort
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
carry out
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The tone of the missive seemed to half paralyse poor Joan.
toto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And make terms--or, rather, accede _in toto_ to anything he might propose for that flight of theirs which was never to take place.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a little while she lay prone on her bed, unable to think, answering Julie mechanically as she hovered about, pulling up the blinds, getting the bath ready, placing the dainty garments ready to hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, with the first returning pang of despair--for that letter told her that she need not imagine she was in the least secure--a sword of Damocles hung over her unhappy head--she cast about what she must do.
