used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
commencesverbUS /kəˈmensəz/
third-person singular of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
curiously-reluctant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/
superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
divisible by two
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
a social unit living together
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
MisfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
narrateverbUS /ˈnereɪt/
provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
pausesnounUS /ˈpɔːzəz/
plural of “pause” — a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
phasenounUS /feɪz/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
proverbnounUS /ˈprɑːvərb/
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
with speed
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
singlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡli/
one by one; one at a time
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Misfortunes never come singly, and they did not come singly to us.
precisely as stated
From this reading In very truth, sorrow in its deepest phase had entered our house, and my mother's form seemed to shrink and grow less from the day she put on mourning for my grandmother.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not for us to give the lie to a proverb.
at the time that
From this reading Often in a family, death is in a hurry when it commences, and takes one after another quickly; then pauses for a long breath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But if my mother had her troubles, I am sure I had mine; and one was of such a strange and terrible nature that, even at this distance of time, and with a better comprehension of things, a curiously-reluctant feeling comes upon me as I prepare to narrate it.
