used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A succession of complications had hastened it.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
the act of breaking something
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
cleavagenounUS /ˈkliːvədʒ/
the state of being split or cleft
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
complicationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating
From this reading A succession of complications had hastened it.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
effectingverbUS /ɪˈfektɪŋ/
-ing form of “effect” — produce
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
Fliss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
the act of departing
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
gossipingnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəpɪŋ/
a conversation that spreads personal information about other people
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading A succession of complications had hastened it.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
Horton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A succession of complications had hastened it.
and nothing more
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
go away from a place
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
MatthewnounUS /ˈmæθjuː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
in motion
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
not any; not one
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A succession of complications had hastened it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
and nothing more
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
solemnitynounUS /səˈlemnəti/
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading A succession of complications had hastened it.
sustainedadjectiveUS /səˈsteɪnd/
maintained at length without interruption or weakening
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Death seemed on no great errand here in this shabby little flat, breaking no heart, effecting no terrible cleavage.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
trivialities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Horton’s death came just before the time when Matthew had planned to leave for Washington.
a Caucasian
From this reading Three days before it came, Fliss knew that it was imminent and she spent those days sitting beside her mother for long periods, her face white and drawn, but her courage sustained as it always was in a crisis.
which person or people
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet the solemnity of the struggle was not altered by the fact that it was only a commonplace, middle-aged woman who was fighting for the chance to keep on going to the moving pictures, gossiping, living in trivialities.
