used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
balmnounUS /bɑːm/
any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
comforternounUS /ˈkʌmfərtər/
a person who commiserates with someone who has had misfortune
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
Dering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
drawsnounUS /drɔːz/
plural of “draw” — a gully that is shallower than a ravine
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
divisible by two
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
intuitiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtuːətɪv/
spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
hear with intention
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
the force of workers available
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
phrenzy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
poet'snounUS /ˈpoʊəts/
possessive form of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
pooreradjectiveUS /ˈpuːrər/
comparative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
pre-eminent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
shedsnounUS /ʃedz/
plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
stingverbUS /stɪŋ/
cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
sufferernounUS /ˈsʌfərər/
a person suffering from an illness
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not to every one among the children of men is given the power, the faculty, to act as comforter to others.
a special situation
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
a source of difficulty
From this reading To listen to another’s sorrow, to be told the history of another’s trouble, is one thing: to be able to give back comfort is another.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This rare gift of sympathy was possessed by Edith Dering in a pre-eminent degree.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT TO DO NEXT?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
in the company of; together with
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That delicate intuitive sympathy with another’s woe which draws away the sting even while listening to it, which makes that woe its own property as it were, which sheds balm round the sufferer in every word and look and touch: this is surely as much a special gift as the gift of song or the poet’s fine phrenzy, and without it the world would be a much poorer place than it is.
