used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
armiesnounUS /ˈɑːrmiz/
plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
battle-lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
confrontingverbUS /kənˈfrʌntɪŋ/
-ing form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
dilemmanounUS /dɪˈlemə/
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
effectedadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪd/
settled securely and unconditionally
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
one or the other of two
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
divisible by two
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
at any time
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
gnawingverbUS /ˈnɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
mandatenounUS /ˈmændeɪt/
a document giving an official instruction or command
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
not any; not one
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
and nothing more
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
perplexingadjectiveUS /pərˈpleksɪŋ/
lacking clarity of meaning; causing confusion or perplexity
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
prescriptionnounUS /prəˈskrɪpʃən/
directions prescribed beforehand; the action of prescribing authoritative rules or directions
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
repairnounUS /rɪˈper/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
specialistsnounUS /ˈspeʃələsts/
plural of “specialist” — an expert who is devoted to one occupation or branch of learning
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
sternestadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrnəst/
superlative of “stern” — of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
syllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/
a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
tacitadjectiveUS /ˈtæsɪt/
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
tenselyadverbUS /ˈtensli/
in a tense manner
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But when the mandate came that Elizabeth Burton must go abroad Mary Burton faced the sternest dilemma which had ever presented itself for her decision.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
a special situation
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
trucenounUS /truːs/
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
unconfessednoun
people who have not confessed
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Accordingly they did what they could and, having effected a temporary repair, fell back on the customary prescription of change and travel.
at the time that
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
in or at the place that
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
which person or people
From this reading The illness of Elizabeth Burton proved tedious and perplexing to the specialists who traced its origin beyond the purely physical to some unconfessed thing gnawing at the peace of her brain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading During these weeks Mary had been constantly with her mother--and when she was even a short while away the elder woman anxiously called for her.
people who are wounded
From this reading Sometimes she and Hamilton had met, but at these times there was no syllable of surrender from the lips of either; only a tacit sort of truce such as might have existed where two armies drawn tensely in confronting battle-lines pause to care for the wounded in which both have interest.
