used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
ardournoun
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
attachmentnounUS /əˈtætʃmənt/
a feeling of affection for a person or an institution
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
causesnounUS /ˈkɑːzəz/
plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
comicadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmɪk/
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
explicableadjectiveUS /ekˈsplɪkəbəl/
capable of being explicated or accounted for
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
made afraid
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
Hippolitus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
iciclesnounUS /ˈaɪsɪkəlz/
plural of “icicle” — ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
indifferencenounUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns/
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
irresponsiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
kissesnounUS /ˈkɪsəz/
plural of “kiss” — the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
lavishedverbUS /ˈlævɪʃt/
past form of “lavish” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
likenedverbUS /ˈlaɪkənd/
past form of “liken” — consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
provided with artificial light
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
held dear
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
nothingsnounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋz/
inconsequential conversation
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
and nothing more
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
phlegmnounUS /flem/
apathy demonstrated by an absence of emotional reactions
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
Phædra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
rusticadjectiveUS /ˈrʌstɪk/
characteristic of rural life
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
savagerynounUS /ˈsævɪdʒeri/
the property of being untamed and ferocious
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
only a very short time before
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
express in words
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
up to a particular time
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
untamedadjective
in a natural state; not tamed or domesticated or cultivated
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
precisely as stated
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Edward was certainly not an ardent lover.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
at the time that
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bertha could not tell when first she had noticed his irresponsiveness; at the beginning she had known only that she loved her husband with all her heart, and her ardour had lit up his somewhat pallid attachment till it seemed to glow as fiercely as her own.
withdrawalnounUS /wɪðˈdrɔːəl/
a retraction of a previously held position
From this reading The causes of her dissatisfaction were scarcely explicable: a slight motion of withdrawal, an indifference to her feelings--little nothings which had seemed almost comic.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Bertha at first likened Edward to the Hippolitus of _Phædra_, he was untamed and wild; the kisses of woman frightened him; his phlegm pleased her disguised as rustic savagery, and she said her passion should thaw the icicles in his heart.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet gradually she began to think that he made very little return for the wealth of affection which she lavished upon him.
