used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
in actual fact
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
(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 Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
babyhoodnounUS /ˈbeɪbihʊd/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
of short duration or distance
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
deliverancenounUS /dɪˈlɪvərəns/
recovery or preservation from loss or danger
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
demureadjectiveUS /dɪˈmjʊr/
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
Dinah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
epistles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
harshnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrʃnəs/
the roughness of a substance that causes abrasions
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
intense and profound fear
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
inklingnounUS /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
the literary culture
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
pettingnounUS /ˈpetɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
sojournnounUS /ˈsoʊdʒərn/
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
subjugatedadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbdʒəɡeɪtɪd/
reduced to submission
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
tropicsnounUS /ˈtrɑːpɪks/
the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BROKEN HEART The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after a brief sojourn in the tropics.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to her deliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to her lover.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The change of atmosphere was such that she seemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physical and mental contracted in consequence.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her mother treated her with all her customary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of much petting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with the iron will that had subjugated her from babyhood.
wordedverbUS /ˈwɜːrdɪd/
past form of “word” — put into words or an expression
From this reading These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave him not the smallest inkling of her state of mind.
