used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
climaxnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
dispelverbUS /dɪˈspel/
force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
drearinessnounUS /ˈdriːrinəs/
extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
gentlestadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentələst/
superlative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
God'snounUS /ɡɑːdz/
possessive form of “god” — 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 "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
hopelesslyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpləsli/
in a hopeless manner
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
incompetentnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpətənt/
someone who is not competent to take effective action
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
justlyadverbUS /ˈdʒʌstli/
with honesty
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
KittynounUS /ˈkɪti/
the combined stakes of the betters
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
loathedverbUS /loʊðd/
past form of “loathe” — find repugnant
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
naturesnounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
plural of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
and nothing more
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
outreaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
palpablyadverbUS /ˈpælpəbli/
so as to be palpable
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a course of conduct
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
self-reproachnoun
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The faults I had been guilty of, and the errors into which I had led, or allowed Kitty to go, seemed to me, and justly, the first steps in a most dangerous path.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
very small
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
precisely as stated
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
at the time that
From this reading If it had been possible for me to be more miserable than I had been all day, I should indeed have "loathed the hour" when gloom and darkness so palpably and hopelessly descend, but the climax of misery and self-reproach had been reached by daylight, and outward dreariness could only increase, in a very slight degree, the inward gloom.
in or at the place that
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Evening was closing in, and filling the little room where I lay with fitful shadows, which the tiny blaze of fire in the grate was incompetent to dispel.
WHITTIERnounUS /ˈwɪtiər/
United States poet best known for his nostalgic poems about New England (1807-1892)
From this reading WHITTIER.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "The very gentlest of all human natures He joined to courage strong, And love outreaching unto all God's creatures, With sturdy hate of wrong."
