used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
absolutionnounUS /ˌæbsəˈluːʃən/
the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of penance
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
(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 Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
availverbUS /əˈveɪl/
use to one's advantage
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
the two together, not just one
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
terminate
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
one or the other of two
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
fountainsnounUS /ˈfaʊntənz/
plural of “fountain” — a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
Grania
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
MonsignornounUS /mɑːnˈsiːnjər/
(Roman Catholic Church) an ecclesiastical title of honor bestowed on some priests
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
priest'snounUS /priːsts/
possessive form of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
promisesnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
resumeverbUS /rɪˈzuːm/
take up or begin anew
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
shamefuladjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪmfəl/
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
deliver by singing
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
sinsnounUS /sɪnz/
plural of “sin” — estrangement from god
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
stupornounUS /ˈstuːpər/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
subsequentlyadverbUS /ˈsʌbsəkwəntli/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
express in words
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
Ulick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That promise she could not give, for she had promised Ulick that she would sing Grania, and she had promised Owen to see him in three months.
except if; if not
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Monsignor would tell her that to send away her lovers was not sufficient, and he would refuse his absolution unless she promised him not to see them any more.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading It seemed to her both weak and shameful to break either of these promises.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then, almost without thinking at all, in a sort of stupor, she walked over the hill and descended the slope, and leaning over the balustrade she looked at the fountains.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But the splashing water explained nothing, and she turned to resume her walk; and she reflected that to send away her lovers would avail her nothing, unless she subsequently confessed her sins and obtained the priest's absolution.
