Chapter XX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

later than; following

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

(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 In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

feeling or showing anger

From this reading She was angry and unforgiving.

the act of overcoming or outdoing

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

A detailed written record of historical events in order. (Sử ký, biên niên sử lịch sử.)

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

highly or nervously excited

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

come to pass

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

incapable of being tolerated or endured

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Unhappy mother!

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

not any; not one

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

a brief written record

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

recurring with measured regularity

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

a unit strength of a radioactive source equal to one million disintegrations per second

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a male human offspring

From this reading Unhappy son!

not in physical motion

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

characterized by violent emotions or behavior

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

a special situation

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In all that time she had heard no more of Mrs. Rutherford, though the daily chronicle that kept note of every stranger in Rome still printed her name among the inmates of the Hotel Marguerita.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy

From this reading She was angry and unforgiving.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading Unhappy mother!

not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was a little less than three weeks after the meeting in the house of silence; but to Vera the interval seemed an endless procession of slow, grey days and fevered nights--nights of intolerable length, in which she listened to the beating of the blood against her skull, now slow and rhythmical, now tempestuous and irregular--endless nights in which sleep seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen, a miracle for which she had left off hoping.