used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
abstractverbUS /æbˈstrækt/
consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
aestheticadjectiveUS /esˈθetɪk/
relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
Blanche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
psychological suffering
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
not any; not one
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
Norma's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
Identical; not different.
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since Norma's marriage, Blanche had drawn much nearer to her cousin.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading She had lived in the same house with him, had associated with him daily, had taken his hand, had kissed him; but she had never _known_ him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
unmingledadjective
not mixed with extraneous elements
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had always been fond of him in an abstract way, and had felt a surface sorrow, not unmingled with aesthetic interest, in the dramatic incidents of his life.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Pain, grief, distress of any sort woke in her heart a longing to give help and comfort.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
womanlyadjective
befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman
From this reading No; Blanche was not a clever woman; that could not be claimed for her; but her essential elements were womanly.
