used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
(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 But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
incommunicable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
and nothing more
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor Christian!
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading "I will try."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But he kept them between himself and Heaven, as he did all things that were incommunicable and inevitable, and especially all things that could have given pain to any human being.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I will try."
in the company of; together with
From this reading She looked up at him, the tears in her eyes, but with a great light shining in them too.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He only said on returning, "I knew, Christian, from the first, that you would be a good mother to my children."
