used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
definitionnounUS /ˌdefəˈnɪʃən/
a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
dependingverbUS /dɪˈpendɪŋ/
-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
one or the other of two
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
to come or go into
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
assemble or get together
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
gloried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
Harlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
and nothing more
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
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 No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
something that is lost
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
mournedverbUS /mɔːrnd/
past form of “mourn” — feel sadness
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
not any; not one
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
politelyadverbUS /pəˈlaɪtli/
in a polite manner
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
on the contrary
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
express in speech
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
SWIMverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading No one of her large and rather gay circle of intimate friends either knew or greatly troubled themselves about the matter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just how this loss occurred was, however, a matter that was shrouded in mystery.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading She had been known to speak of "Mr. Harlan" and of "my husband," but it was quite impossible to gather from her manner whether she mourned his loss or gloried in her freedom.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
which person or people
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading IN THE SWIM Mrs. Harlan called herself a widow, and if the definition of a widow is "a woman who has lost her husband," she held good claim to that title.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading There are in New York many circles of what is politely called society, and entrance to these circles is more or less easy of access, depending upon just which one of these charmed rings one wishes to enter.
