used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
AbbenounUS /ˈæbi/
a French abbot
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
administeredverbUS /ədˈmɪnəstərd/
past form of “administer” — work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
how long something has existed
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
alabasternounUS /ˈæləbæstər/
a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
Beaumesnil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
devoutlyadverbUS /dɪˈvaʊtli/
in a devout and pious manner
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
emaciatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪtɪd/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
frightfullyadverbUS /ˈfraɪtfəli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
haggardadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
Herminie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
Herminie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
and nothing more
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
immediately past
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
Ledoux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
on one occasion
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
and nothing more
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
rivetedverbUS /ˈrɪvətɪd/
past form of “rivet” — direct one's attention on something
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
sacramentnounUS /ˈsækrəmənt/
a formal religious ceremony conferring a specific grace on those who receive it
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE UNHAPPY SECRET.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
not in physical motion
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
a state of acute pain
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE UNHAPPY SECRET.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
thirty-eightadjective
being eight more than thirty
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading THE UNHAPPY SECRET.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
wanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading A minute before Herminie's arrival, Madame de Beaumesnil, lowering her voice still more, though weakness and suffering had already reduced it to little more than a faint whisper, had said to the priest:
which person or people
From this reading The countess, who was sitting up in bed, supported by pillows, had her hands clasped devoutly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her features, once of rare beauty, were drawn and haggard, her large eyes, formerly of a clear, bright blue, had lost their lustre, though they were riveted with mingled anxiety and anguish upon the face of Abbe Ledoux, her parish priest, who had just administered the last sacrament.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
a late time of life
From this reading Through the open doorway before which Herminie had just knelt, she could see by the wan light of an alabaster lamp Madame de Beaumesnil, a woman only about thirty-eight years of age, but frightfully pale and emaciated.
