used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
affectingadjectiveUS /əˈfektɪŋ/
arousing affect
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
(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 Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
convulsivelyadverb
with convulsions, in a convulsive way
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
placed crosswise
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
death-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
a long fixed look
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
godmothernounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðər/
any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
Mariette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
mattressnounUS /ˈmætrəs/
a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed
From this reading Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
a particular point in time
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED.
held or filled or in use
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
overspreadverb
spread across or over
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
overwhelmedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/
past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
pallornoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
not in physical motion
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mariette was lying to all appearance lifeless on a mattress on the floor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
at the time that
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her features, which were overspread with a death-like pallor, contracted convulsively from time to time.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Her eyes were closed, and there were still traces of tears on her marble cheeks, while in one of the clenched hands crossed upon her breast was the envelope containing the fragments of the letter she had received from Louis.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Louis Richard entered the room occupied by Mariette and her godmother, he paused a moment on the threshold, overwhelmed with grief and despair at the affecting scene that presented itself to his gaze.
