abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
cowardicenounUS /ˈkaʊərdəs/
the trait of lacking courage
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
discoversverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərz/
third-person singular of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
erredverbUS /erd/
past form of “err” — to make a mistake or be incorrect
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
errornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
errsverbUS /erz/
third-person singular of “err” — to make a mistake or be incorrect
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Well, no matter!” exclaimed Maxence.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
goalnounUS /ɡoʊl/
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
hesitatesverbUS /ˈhezəteɪts/
third-person singular of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
intersectionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈsekʃən/
a point where lines intersect
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
leadsnounUS /liːdz/
plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “Well, no matter!” exclaimed Maxence.
Maxence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, no matter!” exclaimed Maxence.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
not any; not one
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
remedynounUS /ˈremədi/
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
retraceverbUS /riˈtreɪs/
to go back over again
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
starting-point
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
carry out
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Every step he takes is final; and if he has erred, if he has taken the fatal road, there is no remedy.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
travelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
(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 “Well, no matter!” exclaimed Maxence.
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
which person or people
From this reading And he remained wavering, like the traveler who finds himself at the intersection of two roads, and, knowing that one leads to the goal, and the other to an abyss, hesitates which to take.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With this difference, however, that if the traveler errs, and discovers his error, he is always free to retrace his steps; whereas man, in life, can never return to his starting-point.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading “It shall not be said that through cowardice I have allowed that happiness to escape which passes within my reach.
