used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
brought into existence
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
a youthful male person
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
comparingnounUS /kəmˈperɪŋ/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading How different was my face from hers!
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How different was my face from hers!
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
come to pass
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading How different was my face from hers!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How different was my face from hers!
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
NewcastlenounUS /ˈnuːkæsəl/
a port city in northeastern England on the River Tyne; a center for coal exports (giving rise to the expression “carry coals to Newcastle” meaning to do something unnecessary)
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE END The time passed, and now I was to prepare myself to receive my husband.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
at the time that
From this reading Never had I seen her so sweet, so lovely, indeed, as when I beheld her in the road when my little boy came running to me.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was not my fault, but the fault of my having been born a woman--of my being human, in short--that, whilst I thought of my husband’s arrival, I should find myself looking into the glass and comparing my face with my sister’s.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My mind had been so wholly engrossed by my sister that I had given but little thought to the interview that was likely to happen that day, if it were true, as Mary had said, that my husband would come to Newcastle.
