used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
put or send forth
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
contemptuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtemptʃwəsli/
without respect; in a disdainful manner
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
distractionnounUS /dɪˈstrækʃən/
mental turmoil
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
drowsied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
groannounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
haughtyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːti/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
the act of departing
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
lentnounUS /lent/
a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
a particular point in time
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
Plautia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
rigournoun
the quality of being valid and rigorous
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
Tucca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading It may have been a cruelly acute flash of reflection piercing her pain‐drowsied mind with spasmodic rigour, for, the next moment she sank on her knees with a smothered groan, and thence on to her face, with her arms outstretched and her hand clutching the turf.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
precisely as stated
From this reading Here, in the solitude and silence of the night, the most dread hour for unhappy thoughts, she lay prone and helpless in the very lap of mental torture.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every external condition was absent which, in the light of day, might have lent distraction and relief.
at the time that
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When she reached the middle of the dusky orchard which flanked the dwelling of Tucca, she stopped short, with her head cast down, as if struck by a sudden thought.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Plautia walked homeward with a sweeping haughty step, leaving her head and face exposed to the dim rays of the moon as if contemptuously careless of risk.
