used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
anew
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
(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 "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
appreciateverbUS /əˈpriːʃieɪt/
recognize with gratitude; be grateful for
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
Chalice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
consequencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/
plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
dismayingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪɪŋ/
causing consternation
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
elicitedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlɪsɪtɪd/
called forth from a latent or potential state by stimulation
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
hystericaladjectiveUS /hɪˈsterɪkəl/
characterized by or arising from psychoneurotic hysteria
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
insistencenounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəns/
continual and persistent demands
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
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 I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
go away from a place
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
the force of workers available
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
a particular point in time
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
used to form the superlative
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
information about recent and important events
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
not any; not one
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
on one occasion
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
with speed
From this reading "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
self-centredadjective
limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
express in words
From this reading "Tell me quickly all you know and I’ll go," I said.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
TOILSnounUS /tɔɪlz/
plural of “toil” — productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
vehementlyadverbUS /ˈviːəməntli/
in a vehement manner
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading She could have used no stronger weapon, and I pulled myself together.
at the time that
From this reading ONCE AGAIN IN THE TOILS When Chalice’s appeal to me to leave the house at once elicited no response from me--I was indeed too staggered for the moment by her news, and sat groping blindly for some clue to its real significance--her eager insistence gave way to despair at the thought of the possible consequences to herself.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I knew her grief was utterly self-centred; but the sight of her tears had that dismaying effect which most men will appreciate, so I rose at once.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You will ruin me!" she cried vehemently; and throwing herself on to a couch she burst into an hysterical flood of tears.
