Chapter VIII

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

later than; following

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

(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 For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

a temporary associate

From this reading MISERY'S BEDFELLOW.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

superlative of “bitter” — marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

exhale hard

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

lacking funds

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

with self-possession (especially in times of stress)

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

dearly loved

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

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

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

immediately past

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading MISERY'S BEDFELLOW.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

not any; not one

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

by chance

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

express in words

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

with low volume

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

express in speech

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

express in words

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

a special situation

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading I trust you as I trust no other man on earth; there can be nothing you are afraid to tell me."

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Having struck me that unconscious blow, she sat down calmly, and smiled at me, and waited; I thought that never had poor prisoner trembled before his judge as I trembled then.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.

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

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

at the time that

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For what seemed a long time, but was after all but a matter of moments, we stood in that room, facing each other; and perhaps the bitterest thing to me then, with the knowledge in my mind of what I had to say, was that when at last she broke silence she should speak to me with tenderness.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "John, dear," she said softly, "there is some mystery here that I don't understand; I want to know all about it--all about you.