used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
actualitynounUS /ˌæktʃuːˈælətiː/
the state of actually existing objectively
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MUSIC OF SILENCE AND OF DRUM.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
beachingverbUS /ˈbiːtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “beach” — land on a beach
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
for the reason that
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
cliff'snounUS /klɪfs/
possessive form of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
DRUMnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading THE MUSIC OF SILENCE AND OF DRUM.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
at any time
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
excursionsnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒənz/
plural of “excursion” — a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
Freda's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
an instinctive motive
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
meagreadjective
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
meditationnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading THE MUSIC OF SILENCE AND OF DRUM.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
not any; not one
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
obstructionsnounUS /əbˈstrʌkʃənz/
plural of “obstruction” — any structure that makes progress difficult
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MUSIC OF SILENCE AND OF DRUM.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/
lacking in energy or will
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
regainverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪn/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading THE MUSIC OF SILENCE AND OF DRUM.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
be seated
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes she would paddle slowly along the shore near her home, or, beaching the canoe on the meagre shelf by the cliff’s feet, sit in passive enjoyment of the simple natural objects about her.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MUSIC OF SILENCE AND OF DRUM.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading She never took a book on these solitary excursions, because of a characteristic impulse toward actuality.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A delicate fear occasionally separated her from people for an hour of tranquil meditation, in which she reached back through time and down through obstructions to regain touch with it herself.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a depth in Freda’s nature which she was sure no one would ever discover.
