used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
from appearances alone
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
have
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/
past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
diabolicaladjectiveUS /ˌdaɪəˈbɑːlɪkəl/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
divisible by two
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, how I loathed the sight of that machine.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
InterventionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
not subject to the control of the will
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
justlyadverbUS /ˈdʒʌstli/
with honesty
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
loathedverbUS /loʊðd/
past form of “loathe” — find repugnant
From this reading Oh, how I loathed the sight of that machine.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Oh, how I loathed the sight of that machine.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
not any; not one
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, how I loathed the sight of that machine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
any competition
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
except for; apart from
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
sentencedverbUS /ˈsentənst/
past form of “sentence” — pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Oh, how I loathed the sight of that machine.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
a state of acute pain
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
confined on all sides
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
tormentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrments/
plural of “torment” — unbearable physical pain
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
violet-ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For then, at least, I would have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical instrument as the violet-ray.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start of fright!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Intervention Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my torments would have been less hard to bear.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to save me from it.
