used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
casingnounUS /ˈkeɪsɪŋ/
the housing or outer covering of something
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
Chrysalis-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
conqueredverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərd/
past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
earthlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθli/
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
move gently or carefully
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
at any time
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
grovellingadjective
totally submissive
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
liveliestadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvliːəst/
superlative of “lively” — full of life and energy
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
engage in
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
not any; not one
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
on one occasion
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
in other respects or ways
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
perusingnounUS /pərˈuːzɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
pinchedadjectiveUS /pɪntʃt/
sounding as if the nose were pinched
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
in the near future
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
re-appearance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading But no, I was as sensitive to pain as ever I had been; and, to make the situation once more one of active reality, Hilda presently made her re-appearance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
(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 It was well for me that she seemed to have taken a strong fancy to me, otherwise I should never have been able to feel so much at ease in her presence as I did.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
whereof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I closed the book which I had been perusing, with a sense of the liveliest amazement.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Was it possible, I thought, that this wonderful people had really conquered disease, decay, death, and the elements?
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The suggestion seemed so wild, and my surroundings altogether were so strange, that I pinched myself to make sure that I had not really left my earthly casing behind me, and emerged, Chrysalis-like, into another world, whereof the grovelling nature of my former existence had failed to give me any conception.
