used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGE COMMAND.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
Beatrix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading A STRANGE COMMAND.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
CrescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
DanenounUS /deɪn/
a native or inhabitant of Denmark
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
opinion or judgment
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
start firing a weapon
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
a long fixed look
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
depressingly dark
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
not accessible to view
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
lovableadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvəbəl/
having characteristics that attract love or affection
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
malicenounUS /ˈmæləs/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
outburstsnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrsts/
plural of “outburst” — an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
preternaturallyadverb
in a supernatural manner
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
repulsiveadjectiveUS /riˈpʌlsɪv/
offensive to the mind
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
only a very short time before
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A STRANGE COMMAND.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She shrank from the gaze of his shifting dark eyes, preternaturally bright with some hidden fire which made them appear like fierce flames ready to burst forth and devour her.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Life had seemed strange to Beatrix in that gloomy mansion in the Crescent City.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From the night of her arrival she had scarcely seen old Bernard Dane--a circumstance which she could not regret; for, try as she might to shut her eyes to the truth, there was nothing pleasant or lovable about the old man.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was, indeed, everything repulsive; and his strange, wild outbursts of rage and malice against some evil which he could not prevent or forget--something hidden away in his own past--made Beatrix tremble with terror.
