used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
BEHINDprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading BEHIND THE FIDDLE.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/
superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
command with authority
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
psychological suffering
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
at any time
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
exhortationsnounUS /ˌeɡzɔːrˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “exhortation” — a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
FIDDLEnounUS /ˈfɪdəl/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading BEHIND THE FIDDLE.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
in a gradual manner
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
not any; not one
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
probedverbUS /proʊbd/
past form of “probe” — question or examine thoroughly and closely
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
restoresverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrz/
third-person singular of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
express in words
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
stealverbUS /stiːl/
take without the owner's consent
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BEHIND THE FIDDLE.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
having come into contact
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
precisely as stated
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading But gradually a little light and warmth steal through the darkness, not direct from heaven alone, but reflected from kind eyes and hearts.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
woenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading IT is vain for any man to say that, in the deepest depths of woe, he can receive no scrap of comfort from the tenderness of others.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He is not alone in the world, although he ever must be lonely; and the sense of other life than his restores him slowly to his own.
worn-outadjective
used until no longer useful
From this reading Words may help him very little; commonplace exhortations are a weariness to the worn-out soul; he lies at the bottom of his own distress, and does not want it probed or touched.
