Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading BOOK II.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

the smallest administrative district of several European countries

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

remaining in force or being carried on without letup

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

wanted intensely

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

(historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a revue with elaborate costuming

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

large outdoor signboard

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading BOOK II.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

joined in matrimony

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

the force of workers available

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

keep busy with

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

and nothing more

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

above and across; more than

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a stipulated condition

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

plural of “sensation” — an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

get rid of

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

a male human offspring

From this reading The birth of her son had opened to her a new field of sensations, and she drew the best charm of her own existence from the life she had given to another.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

not in physical motion

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

the absence of matter

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It is dangerous for women, however wise it be for men, "to commune with their own hearts, and to be still!"

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Continuing to pursue the follies of the world had been to Emily more prudent than to fly them; to pause, to separate herself from the herd, was to discover, to feel, to murmur at the vacuum of her being; and to occupy it with the feelings which it craved, could in her be but the hoarding a provision for despair.

but in spite of that

From this reading Married, before she had begun the bitter knowledge of herself, to a man whom it was impossible to love, yet deriving from nature a tenderness of soul, which shed itself over everything around, her only escape from misery had been in the dormancy of feeling.