used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
breachesnounUS /ˈbriːtʃɪz/
plural of “breach” — a failure to perform some promised act or obligation
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
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 They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
ensuingadjectiveUS /ˈensuːɪŋ/
following immediately and as a result of what went before
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
at any time
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
a social unit living together
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
set up or found
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
fullernounUS /ˈfʊlər/
United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading SIX MONTHS.
not any; not one
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
and nothing more
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
oppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
proclaimingverbUS /proʊˈkleɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “proclaim” — declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading SIX MONTHS.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
a state of social isolation
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
surmisesnounUS /sərˈmaɪzɪz/
plural of “surmise” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
tenderer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
trialsnounUS /ˈtraɪəlz/
plural of “trial” — the act of testing something
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
precisely as stated
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
nonexistent
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At first she found it very hard to live her life alone; for inward solitude oppressed her, and external trials were not wanting.
which person or people
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Only to the few who had a right to know, had the whole trouble been confided.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading They were discreet from family pride, if from no tenderer feeling; but the curious world outside of that small circle was full of shrewd surmises, of keen eyes for discovering domestic breaches, and shrill tongues for proclaiming them.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The ensuing half year seemed fuller of duties and events than any Sylvia had ever known.
