used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
(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 Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
brought into existence
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
declarationnounUS /ˌdeklərˈeɪʃən/
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
Eldon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
improviseverbUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪz/
perform without preparation
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
inconveniencesnounUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjənsɪz/
plural of “inconvenience” — an inconvenient discomfort
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
and nothing more
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
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 As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
held dear
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
not any; not one
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
express in words
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
Sheila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
in the near future
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
express in speech
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sheila was afraid to speak at all; she could not improvise the exquisitely nice phrase that should say neither more nor less than enough.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Indeed, she could not imagine just what she wanted to say, what she really felt or ought to feel.
which person or people
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman was never born, probably, who could find a declaration of devotion entirely unwelcome, no matter from whom.
the words that are spoken
From this reading As Eldon’s words echoed back through his ears he knew that he had said too much and too soon.
the day immediately before today
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet Sheila felt any number of inconveniences in being loved by this man who was a total stranger yesterday and an old acquaintance to-day.
