used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
(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 And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
appreciatedadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
cake-baking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
clothes-making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
conceiveverbUS /kənˈsiːv/
have the idea for
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
having made preparations
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
communicated in words
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
featnounUS /fiːt/
a notable achievement
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
gloatedverbUS /ˈɡloʊtɪd/
past form of “gloat” — dwell on with satisfaction
From this reading And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
IsraelnounUS /ˈɪzriəl/
Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
and nothing more
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
joined in matrimony
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
an old word for “no”
From this reading And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
absolutely essential
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And Israel appreciated it all; nay, he fairly gloated over it.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
preliminariesnounUS /prɪˈlɪməneriz/
plural of “preliminary” — a minor match preceding the main event
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
risksnounUS /rɪsks/
plural of “risk” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
in the near future
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
sure-enoughadjective
(used informally especially for emphasis) real or genuine
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
sweetheartsnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrts/
plural of “sweetheart” — a person loved by another person
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought nothing of her feat of climbing the mountain in the bitter cold and the overwhelming rain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Under the circumstances, her concern—her alarm, indeed—was natural.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would have taken much larger risks than that; she would have faced any danger her mind could conceive of.
a late time of life
From this reading She and Israel had been sweethearts for years,—real sure-enough sweethearts, as she expressed it to her grandfather,—and they were to be married in a short while; just as soon, in fact, as the necessary preliminaries of clothes-making and cake-baking could be disposed of.
