used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
(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 She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
CongressnounUS /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/
the legislature of the United States government
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
CongressionaladjectiveUS /kənˈɡreʃənəl/
of or relating to congress
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
debateverbUS /dəˈbeɪt/
argue with one another
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
deep-seatedadjective
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
despondencynounUS /dɪˈspɑːndənsi/
feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading It seemed to have dropped quite out of public affairs.
divisible by two
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
set up or found
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
come to pass
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It seemed to have dropped quite out of public affairs.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
Hereward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
Lilith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
naysnounUS /neɪz/
plural of “nay” — a negative
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
information about recent and important events
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
not one, and not any
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It seemed to have dropped quite out of public affairs.
by chance
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading It seemed to have dropped quite out of public affairs.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It seemed to have dropped quite out of public affairs.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/
plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to have dropped quite out of public affairs.
sessionnounUS /ˈseʃən/
a meeting for execution of a group's functions
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
not in physical motion
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
sustainedadjectiveUS /səˈsteɪnd/
maintained at length without interruption or weakening
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading As the day of sailing drew near, Lilith’s heart sank into utter despondency.
votenounUS /voʊt/
a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading Up to this time she had been almost unconsciously sustained by the recognized uncertainty of human affairs; by the deep-seated hope that “something might happen” to delay the voyage, or perhaps to put it off altogether.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading She watched the newspapers for news of Hereward; but she found none.
at the time that
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
yeasnounUS /jeɪz/
plural of “yea” — an affirmative
From this reading She knew that Congress was still in session in Washington, and she read all the Congressional reports in the hope of finding his name; but it was not there; not in any debate; not in any speech; not even in the mere rank and file of the yeas and nays when a vote was taken.
