used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
(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 All things had slipped away from her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
announcingverbUS /əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/
-ing form of “announce” — make known; make an announcement
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading All things had slipped away from her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
an occurrence of something
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
defendantsnounUS /dɪˈfendənts/
plural of “defendant” — a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
deservingadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
Desmoines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
divisible by two
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
FillmorenounUS /ˈfɪlmɔːr/
elected vice president and became the 13th President of the United States when Zachary Taylor died in office (1800-1874)
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
God'snounUS /ɡɑːdz/
possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
keeneradjectiveUS /ˈkiːnər/
comparative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
LancasternounUS /ˈlænkæstər/
a city in northwestern England
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
immediately past
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
Marquisenoun
a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
outragedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒd/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
by chance
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
poisonousadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪzənəs/
having the qualities or effects of a poison
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
powerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərləs/
lacking power
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
only a very short time before
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading All things had slipped away from her.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
a state of acute pain
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There could scarcely be, for her, a keener suffering.
a special situation
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading All things had slipped away from her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
communicated in words
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
vs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
at the time that
From this reading When the Marquise Desmoines received from Fillmore a letter announcing that the defendants in the case of Desmoines _vs._ Lancaster declined to defend, she uttered a sharp cry, and dropped the letter as if it had been poisonous.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That strange sense of justice--of what is fairly due to one as a human being--which is perhaps the last thing to die out of even the least deserving of God’s creatures, told her heart that she had been outraged.
yearningnounUS /ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Despite all her powers, and her desperate yearning to exercise them, she was powerless.
