used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
attainedadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnd/
achieved or reached
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
bewareverbUS /bɪˈwer/
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
CalamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
convulsiveadjectiveUS /kənˈvʌlsɪv/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
disclosedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskloʊzd/
made known (especially something secret or concealed)
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
having the place or position changed
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
Elisama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
fabricnounUS /ˈfæbrɪk/
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
destroyed or killed
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
highest in quality
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
Helon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
illuminationnounUS /ˌɪluːməˈneɪʃən/
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
a particular point in time
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
obscureverbUS /əbsˈkjʊr/
make less visible or unclear
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
and nothing more
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
overthrownverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈθroʊn/
inflected form of “overthrow” — cause the downfall of; of rulers
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
pinnaclenounUS /ˈpɪnəkəl/
(architecture) a slender upright spire at the top of a buttress of tower
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
reachesnounUS /ˈriːtʃəz/
plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
self-righteousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
Selumiel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
Sulamith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
temporaladjectiveUS /ˈtempərəl/
not eternal
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
vibrationnounUS /vaɪˈbreɪʃən/
the act of vibrating
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
a vivid mental image
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The ball is in ceaseless vibration, and the moment in which it reaches its greatest elevation is that in which its descent must necessarily begin.
which person or people
From this reading Let him beware who thinks that he has attained the highest pinnacle of temporal prosperity!
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Calamity had come like a flash of lightning, and revealed to him the obscure recesses of his own character; but with what a convulsive shock had this illumination entered, and how painful the contemplation of the objects which it disclosed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The fabric of self-righteousness, which for some months he had built up with so much care, was overthrown; the vision which he had cherished was gone; what would he not have given to have been able to arrest its flight?
yieldverbUS /jiːld/
be the cause or source of
From this reading The death of Elisama had so disturbed the mind of Helon that Selumiel’s wisdom and Sulamith’s affection could only for a moment yield him consolation.
