adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/
past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
conventionsnounUS /kənˈvenʃənz/
plural of “convention” — a large formal assembly
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
curé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
distinctionsnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃənz/
plural of “distinction” — a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/
the act of escaping physically
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
falsehoodnounUS /ˈfælshʊd/
a false statement
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
grimacesnounUS /ˈɡrɪməsɪz/
plural of “grimace” — a contorted facial expression
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
kindsnounUS /kaɪndz/
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
knewverbUS /nuː/
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 There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
madamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
Marquisenoun
a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
monsieurnounUS /məˈsjɜːr/
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
motherhoodnounUS /ˈmʌðərhʊd/
the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
obeyverbUS /oʊˈbeɪ/
be obedient to
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Alas! in future I can be sincere with no one; I am condemned to falsehood.
OnlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
religiousadjectiveUS /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
resignationnounUS /ˌrezəɡˈneɪʃən/
acceptance of despair
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
sincereadjectiveUS /sɪnˈsɪr/
open and genuine; not deceitful
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
StopverbUS /stɑːp/
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
surelyadverbUS /ˈʃʊrli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There are two kinds of motherhood, monsieur; once I knew nothing of such distinctions, but I know them now.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Only half of me has become a mother; it were better for me if I had not been a mother at all.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The world requires continual grimaces, and we are bidden to obey its conventions if we would escape reproach.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I am not going to speak to you of religious sentiments of which resignation is born,” said the curé, “but of motherhood, madame, surely--” “Stop, monsieur!” said the Marquise, “with you I will be sincere.
