Chapter XL

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

have

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

a young person of either sex

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

closed or squeezed together tightly

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

a quick look

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

a child of your son or daughter

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

moving to the inside of something

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The waste of it!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

a particular point in time

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

not any; not one

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

explained or answered

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

in a strange manner

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

past form of “surge” — rise and move, as in waves or billows

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

very small

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading The utter, insensate waste of so much passion and hope and tenderness, of such desperate agony, of such courage to bear...!

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading The waste of it!

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His tiny fists were clenched, his brow puckered, as if that momentary glimpse of knowledge had not been a happy one.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

which person or people

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading No woman who has not gazed so into the face of her own dead child can understand the hopelessness, the sense of bafflement, of the futility of all human endeavor, which surged through Kate Kildare at that moment.

marked by wrinkles

From this reading Kate stood gazing down at the grandchild she had so longed for, Jacqueline's baby; an old, wrinkled, strangely wise little face, as befitted one who had solved with his first breath both the mysteries of Life and of Death.