used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
matters of personal concern
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
afflictionnounUS /əˈflɪkʃən/
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
all-potent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
cowardnounUS /ˈkaʊərd/
a person who shows fear or timidity
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
destituteadjectiveUS /ˈdestətuːt/
poor enough to need help from others
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
earthlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθli/
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
entailverbUS /enˈteɪl/
have as a logical consequence
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
Eunice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
a social unit living together
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
friendlessadjective
excluded from a society
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
destroyed or killed
From this reading His hope in life was gone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading His hope in life was gone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
invokedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvoʊkt/
past form of “invoke” — summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
go away from a place
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
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 Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
malignantadjectiveUS /məˈlɪɡnənt/
dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
a form of address for a man
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
and nothing more
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
persecutionsnounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈkjuːʃəns/
plural of “persecution” — the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
determined
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Not long after Eunice went up to her chamber, he came in and retired to his own room, firm in the purpose he had conceived.
at the time that
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
belonging to which person
From this reading He felt that there was an unseen, but all-potent and malignant power, whose anger he had by some means invoked; and, to fly from its persecutions, he resolved to end his earthly existence.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading When Mr. Townsend came home from his store, after learning that a total wreck of his affairs had taken place, his mind was fully made up to shrink away like a coward from his duties and responsibilities in life, and not only leave his family helpless, friendless, and destitute, but entail upon them the keenest affliction.
