used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
afflictingverbUS /əˈflɪktɪŋ/
-ing form of “afflict” — cause great unhappiness for; distress
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
countrywomannoun
a woman who lives in the country and has country ways
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
designernounUS /dɪˈzaɪnər/
a person who specializes in interior design
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
one or the other of two
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
embitteredverbUS /emˈbɪtərd/
past form of “embitter” — cause to be bitter or resentful
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
FaustusnounUS /ˈfɔːstəs/
an alchemist of German legend who sold his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for knowledge
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
Fulda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
oak-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
and nothing more
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
preludenounUS /ˈpreɪluːd/
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
remedynounUS /ˈremədi/
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
cut with a saw
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
sobbings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
sympathising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
synonymousadjectiveUS /səˈnɑːnəməs/
(of words) meaning the same or nearly the same
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
unmovedadjectiveUS /ənˈmuːvd/
emotionally unmoved
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
vicissitudesnounUS /vɪˈsɪsɪtuːdz/
plural of “vicissitude” — a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
at the time that
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Devil now led Faustus through a series of adventures which were to serve as a prelude to the most afflicting vicissitudes.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Faustus, whom sorrow attracted as much as joy, went hurriedly up to her, and inquired the cause of her grief.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Devil and Faustus were riding in close conversation along the banks of the Fulda, when they saw beneath an oak-tree a countrywoman sitting with her children, appearing to be the lifeless image of agony and dumb despair.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
the words that are spoken
From this reading The woman gazed at him for some time, and it was not until his sympathising look had in some degree melted her frozen heart that she was able, amidst tears and sobbings, to explain herself in the following words:
workernounUS /ˈwɜːrkər/
a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
worldlyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrldli/
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
people who are wounded
From this reading What Faustus had hitherto seen had embittered his heart; but the scenes which now opened upon him by degrees so wounded his spirit, that his mind was unable either to support or remedy them; and only one of the worldly great, or, what is nearly synonymous, a worker and designer of human misery, could have witnessed them unmoved.
