used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
anew
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
aimlessadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmləs/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
apathynounUS /ˈæpəθi/
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
buoyancynounUS /ˈbɔɪənsi/
cheerfulness that bubbles to the surface
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
make calm or still
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
performance of moral or religious acts
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
elasticitynounUS /ˌiːlæˈstɪsəti/
the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
ennuinounUS /eˈnuːi/
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
envelopedverbUS /enˈveləpt/
past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
set up or found
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
fruitagenoun
the yield of fruit
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
greenerynounUS /ˈɡriːnəri/
green foliage
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
joylessadjective
not experiencing or inspiring joy
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
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 felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
the sound of laughing
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
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 THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
mellowadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊ/
unhurried and relaxed
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
MINISTER'SnounUS /ˈmɪnɪstərz/
possessive form of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
muteadjectiveUS /mjuːt/
expressed without speech
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
numbingadjectiveUS /ˈnʌmɪŋ/
causing numbness or insensitivity
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
outdooradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtdɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place in the open air
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
paralysisnounUS /pərˈæləsəs/
loss of the ability to move a body part
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
with speed
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
the season of growth
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
stoicaladjective
seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
confined on all sides
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
surveyingnounUS /sərˈveɪɪŋ/
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
unimprovedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪmˈpruːvd/
not made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially not made ready for use or marketing
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She felt that her life was passing rapidly, unimproved, and aimless; she knew that her years, instead of being fragrant with the mellow fruitage of good deeds, were tedious and joyless, and that the gaunt, numbing hand of ennui was closing upon her.
witcherynoun
the art of sorcery
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In this woman's sad but intensely calm countenance, a joyless life found silent history.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The witchery of Southern spring again enveloped W----, and Irene stood on the lawn surveying the "greenery of the outdoor world" that surrounded her.
a late time of life
From this reading THE MINISTER'S LOVE Two years rolled on, stained with the tears of many, ringing with the songs and laughter of a fortunate few.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The elasticity of spirits, the buoyancy of youth had given place to a species of stoical mute apathy; a mental and moral paralysis was stealing over her.
