used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
ABYSSnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
dalliancenounUS /ˈdæliəns/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
not any; not one
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading A GOLDEN BRIDGE ACROSS AN ABYSS OF SHAME.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
not in physical motion
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
(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 Fresh from dalliance with her lover, she might well tremble to find her husband here!
at the time that
From this reading When Leonard awoke to find her bending over him, the anxiety in her eyes looked to him like fear.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had no perception of the fact that hours had passed since in the meeting in the hall he had seen the same eyes dancing with the light of joy, and had heard from the drawing-room the fond murmurs of forbidden love.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading In his first awakening the scene he had witnessed and the murmurs he had heard swayed before his eyes and sounded still in his ears.
