used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
(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 Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
boredomnounUS /ˈbɔːrdəm/
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
creativeadjectiveUS /kriˈeɪtɪv/
having the ability or power to create
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
dabbledadjectiveUS /ˈdæbəld/
covered with bright patches (often used in combination)
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
the act of departing
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
HARRIET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
Hitchener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
insensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsensəbəl/
incapable of physical sensation
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
for more time
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
Mab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
not any; not one
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
pennilessadjectiveUS /ˈpeniləs/
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
an amount of time
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
politicsnounUS /ˈpɑːlətɪks/
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
reservingverbUS /rɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
-ing form of “reserve” — hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
sensationsnounUS /senˈseɪʃənz/
plural of “sensation” — an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
Shelleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
not in physical motion
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
torpornounUS /ˈtɔːrpər/
a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
WalesnounUS /weɪlz/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria
From this reading During this period they made short visits to Wales, and returned a second time to Ireland, but no longer dabbled in politics.
wanderersnounUS /ˈwɑːndərərz/
plural of “wanderer” — someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
From this reading The Shelleys were still penniless wanderers, but an immense interior satisfaction replaced for them money and home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading HARRIET The few months which followed the departure of Miss Hitchener were happy months.
which person or people
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Harriet, who was with child, was sunk in an agreeable torpor, reserving all her strength for creative purposes, and so amused by and interested in her own sensations and hopes, as to be quite insensible to boredom.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading He had begun a long poem, “Queen Mab,” and to work at it made life worth living.
