used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It is the morning after Lady Chetwoode's ball.
(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 The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
atomsnounUS /ˈætəmz/
plural of “atom” — (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading It is the morning after Lady Chetwoode's ball.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
exhale hard
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
c'est
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
Chetwoode's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the morning after Lady Chetwoode's ball.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
commencementnounUS /kəˈmensmənt/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
DOROTHY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
finnounUS /fɪn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
forgedadjectiveUS /fɔːrdʒd/
reproduced fraudulently
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
GATHERSnounUS /ˈɡæðərz/
plural of “gather” — sewing consisting of small folds or puckers made by pulling tight a thread in a line of stitching
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
HAVEauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
home-ties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
hopefullyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpfəli/
with hope; in a hopeful manner
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
insertedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrtəd/
past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It is the morning after Lady Chetwoode's ball.
immediately past
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
linksnounUS /lɪŋks/
a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It is the morning after Lady Chetwoode's ball.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
NICHOLASnounUS /ˈnɪkələs/
a bishop in Asia Minor who is associated with Santa Claus (4th century)
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbstənət/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
persistencynoun
persistent determination
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
one of four equal parts
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
quiververbUS /ˈkwɪvər/
shake with fast, tremulous movements
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
scoffedverbUS /skɔːft/
past form of “scoff” — laugh at with contempt and derision
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
shatterverbUS /ˈʃætər/
break into many pieces
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
in the near future
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading HOW THE CLOUD GATHERS--AND HOW NICHOLAS AND DOROTHY HAVE THEIR BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/
plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
TowersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
tremblesnoun
disease of livestock and especially cattle poisoned by eating certain kinds of snakeroot
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
precisely as stated
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
wedgenounUS /wedʒ/
any shape that is triangular in cross section
From this reading The first thin edge of the wedge has been inserted: the sword trembles to its fall: _c'est le commencement de la fin_.
at the time that
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
but in spite of that
From this reading The blow so long expected, yet so eagerly and hopefully scoffed at with obstinate persistency, falls at last (all too soon) upon the Towers.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Perhaps it is not the very final blow that when it comes must shatter to atoms all the old home-ties, and the tender links that youth has forged, but it is certainly a cruel shaft, that touches the heart strings, making them quiver.
