used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
have
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
dangersnounUS /ˈdeɪndʒərz/
plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
divisible by two
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
gallowsnounUS /ˈɡæloʊz/
an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
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 To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
march in a procession
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
not any; not one
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
preferableadjectiveUS /ˈprefərəbəl/
more desirable than another
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
sweetheartsnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrts/
plural of “sweetheart” — a person loved by another person
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THOSE WHO WAIT.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is nothing in life much harder to bear than suspense.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
verdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THOSE WHO WAIT.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
at the time that
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
which person or people
From this reading THOSE WHO WAIT.
belonging to which person
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading If this be so, what must it be to the tender, loving hearts of good and true women whose husbands, sweethearts, brothers and sons are facing the dangers of war, and who (God pity them) have to endure this dread suspense for weeks and months when no tidings reach them?
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Even a hardened criminal has been known to admit that the two or three hours of waiting for the verdict was far worse than the march to the gallows.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
but in spite of that
From this reading To know the worst, whatever that may be, is far preferable to the long agony of doubt; hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst.
