used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
avalanchenounUS /ˈævəlæntʃ/
a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
balkedverbUS /bɔːkt/
past form of “balk” — refuse to comply
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
creature's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
cyclonenounUS /sɪˈkloʊn/
(meteorology) rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure center; circling counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
Edgham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
exertverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrt/
put to use
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
Ida's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
impassibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
impossibilitynounUS /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/
incapability of existing or occurring
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
impressiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpresɪv/
making a strong or vivid impression
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/
plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
on one occasion
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
persistencynoun
persistent determination
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
pettyadjectiveUS /ˈpetiː/
inferior in rank or status
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
tremendousadjectiveUS /trəˈmendəs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
unswervable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as inevitable and unswervable as an avalanche or a cyclone.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It really seemed a pity, taking into consideration Ida's tremendous strength of character, that she had not some great national purpose upon which to exert herself, instead of such trivial domestic ones.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading People might shriek out against it and struggle, but on it came, a mighty force, overwhelming petty things as well as great ones.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was an utter impossibility for Ida Edgham to be entirely balked of any purpose which she might form.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading There was something at once impressive and terrible about the strength of this beautiful, smiling creature's will, about its silence, its impassibility before obstacles, its persistency.
