used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
achedverbUS /eɪkt/
past form of “ache” — feel physical pain
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading He was touched and startled by this display of affectionate grief for his mother.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
Beatrix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
lacking funds
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
caressingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading He was touched and startled by this display of affectionate grief for his mother.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
any strong feeling
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
flingingverbUS /ˈflɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
fondlyadverbUS /ˈfɑːndli/
with fondness; with love
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading He was touched and startled by this display of affectionate grief for his mother.
grieveverbUS /ɡriːv/
feel grief
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
held dear
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He was touched and startled by this display of affectionate grief for his mother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
information about recent and important events
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
sobbingnounUS /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/
convulsive gasp made while weeping
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
tempestuousadjectiveUS /ˌtemˈpestʃuːəs/
characterized by violent emotions or behavior
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was touched and startled by this display of affectionate grief for his mother.
throesnounUS /θroʊz/
violent pangs of suffering
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
having come into contact
From this reading He was touched and startled by this display of affectionate grief for his mother.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
wailverbUS /weɪl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Home! home!" she burst out, in a voice that was like a wail of despair, then suddenly flinging her arms about his neck, she broke into tempestuous sobbing as if the very depths of her heart were stirred by throes of keenest anguish.
at the time that
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Never had he clasped her so fondly, never kissed her so tenderly as now when he believed that her heart ached and her tears flowed for the sake of the mother whom he loved.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading "Beatrix, my own sweet love, do not grieve so wildly," he said, caressingly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had expected that Beatrix would be startled and distressed, but he was not prepared for the burst of emotion with which she received his news.
