used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
afflictionnounUS /əˈflɪkʃən/
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
(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 "It has all come to an end."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It has all come to an end."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Hah!" she ejaculated at last.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
Claude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "It has all come to an end."
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
ejaculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hah!" she ejaculated at last.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading "It has all come to an end."
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
yet to be or coming
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
a young female
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
Hah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hah!" she ejaculated at last.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It has all come to an end."
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It has all come to an end."
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
immediately past
From this reading "Hah!" she ejaculated at last.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Hah!" she ejaculated at last.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It has all come to an end."
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Claude started, and looked up in the woman's face, the words were spoken in so strange and hard a tone.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes; life is all affliction," said the woman bitterly; and she frowned now at the kneeling girl.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't like to talk to you about the future, and hope," Claude said at last; "it seems such a vain kind of way to comfort any one in affliction."
