used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
divisible by two
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
intense and profound fear
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
pregnantadjectiveUS /ˈpreɡnənt/
carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
revivingadjectiveUS /rɪˈvaɪvɪŋ/
tending to impart new life and vigor to
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
only a very short time before
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
believed likely
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here, my friend, thou must permit me to pause.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
waywardadjectiveUS /ˈweɪwərd/
resistant to guidance or discipline
From this reading Fortune, in her most wayward mood, could scarcely be suspected of an influence like this.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The following incidents are of a kind to which the most ardent invention has never conceived a parallel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The scene was pregnant with astonishment and horror.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I cannot, even now, recall it without reviving the dismay and confusion which I then experienced.
