used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
COMPELLINGadjectiveUS /kəmˈpelɪŋ/
driving or forcing
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
comprehendedadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
convinceverbUS /kənˈvɪns/
make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
divisible by two
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
destroyed or killed
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
hold firmly
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
influencingverbUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
not any; not one
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
purportverbUS /ˈpɜːrpɔːrt/
have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
resourcenounUS /ˈriːsɔːrs/
available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
precisely, exactly
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
move hurridly
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
express in speech
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Perhaps another night would change her mood, but now, in the sunshine, her courage would hold steadfast.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
uselessnessnoun
the quality of having no practical use
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading COMPELLING SPEECH She was gone before I could speak, before I could even grasp the full purport of her decision.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Even the short space of our acquaintance had served to convince me that she was a woman of resource, of character, and determination.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If she felt it right to remain no argument would be effective, or have the slightest weight.
but in spite of that
From this reading I followed the flutter of her skirt up the stairs, half tempted to rush after, yet as instantly comprehended the uselessness of any attempt at influencing her.
