used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
benevolencesnounUS /bəˈnevələnsɪz/
plural of “benevolence” — disposition to do good
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The event, which was strangely sudden, stirred Hugh to the bottom of his soul.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
colourlessadjective
lacking in variety and interest
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
debatedverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
psychological suffering
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The event, which was strangely sudden, stirred Hugh to the bottom of his soul.
a social unit living together
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
set up or found
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
a young female
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
heightenedverbUS /ˈhaɪtənd/
past form of “heighten” — become more extreme
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
Hugh's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
go away from a place
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
loyaladjectiveUS /ˈlɔɪəl/
steadfast in allegiance or duty
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
predominatedverbUS /prɪˈdɑːməneɪtɪd/
past form of “predominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
preoccupationnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
reflectiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
reticencenounUS /ˈretɪsəns/
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
Identical; not different.
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading The event, which was strangely sudden, stirred Hugh to the bottom of his soul.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The event, which was strangely sudden, stirred Hugh to the bottom of his soul.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
in a strange manner
From this reading The event, which was strangely sudden, stirred Hugh to the bottom of his soul.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The event, which was strangely sudden, stirred Hugh to the bottom of his soul.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading She had been a strong central force in the family; and Hugh found it strange to realise, after her death, that each member of the family had felt themselves in a peculiar relation to her, as the object of her special preoccupation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
uncontroversialadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃəl/
not likely to arouse controversy
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
precisely as stated
From this reading She was a girl of a very deep, loyal, and generous nature, full of activities and benevolences, and at the same time of a reflective order of mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading With his natural reticence, he shrank from speaking of the thoughts which predominated in his mind; especially while there was an abundance of interesting and uncontroversial topics which afforded endless subjects of conversation; and the tendency to leave matters alone which, if debated, might have caused distress, was heightened by the death of one of Hugh's sisters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
a late time of life
From this reading With the rest of the family circle, in these years, Hugh's relations were affectionate but colourless.
