used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
achieveverbUS /əˈtʃiːv/
to gain with effort
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
Alex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
attainableadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnəbəl/
capable of being attained or accomplished
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
compensateverbUS /ˈkɑːmpənseɪt/
adjust for
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
consolinglyadverb
in a comforting or consoling manner
From this reading "Oh, never mind," said Noel consolingly.
wanted intensely
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
elicitingverbUS /ɪˈlɪsətɪŋ/
-ing form of “elicit” — call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
encompassingadjectiveUS /enˈkʌmpəsɪŋ/
broad in scope or content
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "Just write when you feel like it."
start firing a weapon
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/
not based on fact; existing only in the imagination
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Just write when you feel like it."
and nothing more
From this reading "Just write when you feel like it."
the literary culture
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Just write when you feel like it."
love-letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Oh, never mind," said Noel consolingly.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Oh, never mind," said Noel consolingly.
NoelnounUS /noʊˈel/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading "Oh, never mind," said Noel consolingly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, never mind," said Noel consolingly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
reassurancenounUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrəns/
the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
precisely as stated
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
at the time that
From this reading "Just write when you feel like it."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was alone in her own room, the fire had fallen into red embers, and her surroundings were sufficiently appropriate to render attainable the state of mind which she desired to achieve.
which person or people
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
wistfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪstfəli/
in a wistful manner
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
produce a literary work
From this reading "I don't think I write very good letters myself," said Alex wistfully, in the hope of eliciting reassurance.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Alex, who had composed a score of imaginary love-letters, both on his behalf and her own, tried to compensate herself the following evening for the vague misery that was encompassing her spirit, by writing.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Just write when you feel like it."
