used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
in the past
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
beginningsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋz/
plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
engrossingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊsɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
Eve's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
far-distant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
firelit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time she could see life going on beyond it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
yet to be or coming
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
goalnounUS /ɡoʊl/
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
the act of departing
From this reading For the first time she could see life going on beyond it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
only a very short time before
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first time she could see life going on beyond it.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
not any; not one
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For the first time she could see life going on beyond it.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
Identical; not different.
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
seclusionnounUS /sɪˈkluːʒən/
the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For the first time she could see life going on beyond it.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
unavoidableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbəl/
impossible to avoid or evade
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But having remained during the engrossing months, forgotten, at the same far-distant point, Christmas now suddenly reared itself up a few days off, offering nothing but the shadow of an unavoidable interruption.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had offered her, this time, more than its usual safe deep firelit seclusion beyond which no future was visible.
at the time that
From this reading It was to pay her in full for having missed the beginning of Eve’s venture, taking her down into the midst of it when everything was in order and the beginnings still near enough to be remembered.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Three months ago the Christmas had been a goal for which she could hardly wait.
