used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
clarifiedverbUS /ˈklerəfaɪd/
inflected form of “clarify” — make clear and (more) comprehensible
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
conclusionsnounUS /kənˈkluːʒənz/
plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
contractverbUS /ˈkɑːntrækt/
enter into a contractual arrangement
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
demanding attention
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
debutverbUS /deɪˈbjuː/
present for the first time to the public
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
recognizable; marked
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
fundamentalsnounUS /ˌfʌndəˈmentəlz/
principles from which other truths can be derived
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
of the present time and place
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
and nothing more
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
LaChaisenoun
United States sculptor (born in France) noted for his large nude figures (1882-1935)
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
go away from a place
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
the act of departing
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
most important element
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
engage in
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
and nothing more
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
Paula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
on the contrary
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
Ravinia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
reopenedverbUS /riˈoʊpənd/
past form of “reopen” — open again or anew
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
revertedverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
reviseverbUS /rɪˈvaɪz/
make revisions in
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
not in physical motion
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
Tosca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
uncountedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈkaʊntɪd/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was an unwelcome conviction that he really wanted her to go, rather than any crying need for her at Ravinia that decided her to leave him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Paula was to carry out in spirit as well as in letter the terms of her Ravinia contract exactly as if it were still to be regarded as the first step of her reopened career.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Since their momentous conversation in which John had attempted to revise the fundamentals of their life together, they had not reverted to the main theme of it; had clarified, merely, one or two of its more immediate conclusions.
wine-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE END OF IT About a week later--just at the beginning of June, this was--Paula did go back to Chicago, leaving her husband to go on gaining the benefit, for another ten days or so, of that wine-like mountain air.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The need would not be urgent for at least another fortnight since it had been decided between her and LaChaise that she should make her debut in _Tosca_, an opera she had sung uncounted times.
