used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
(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 Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
(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 A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
eagerly desirous
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
banishverbUS /ˈbænɪʃ/
expel from a community or group
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
the act of breaking something
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
capriciousadjectiveUS /kəˈprɪʃəs/
changeable
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
intentionally conceived
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/
superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
declare untrue; contradict
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
digressionnounUS /daɪˈɡreʃən/
a message that departs from the main subject
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
having the place or position changed
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
a social unit living together
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
death of a person
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/
causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
instituteverbUS /ˈɪnstətuːt/
set up or lay the groundwork for
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
thrillsnounUS /θrɪlz/
plural of “thrill” — the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
arousing affect
From this reading In and out, and round about that grievous doubt which had suddenly disturbed the quiet history of his family, this capricious fairy played, touching all his anxious thoughts with thrills of sweetness.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
precisely as stated
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading A flicker of private hope and expectation kept gleaming with uncertain light over the dark weight of anxiety in his heart.
Western'snounUS /ˈwestərnz/
possessive form of “western” — a film about life in the western United States during the period of exploration and development
From this reading He could not help, in the very deepest of his thoughts about Susan, breaking off now and then into a momentary digression, which suddenly carried him into Lady Western's drawing-room, and startled his heart with a thrill of conscious delight, secret and exquisite, which he could neither banish nor deny.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Next morning Mr. Vincent got up early, with an indescribable commotion in all his thoughts.
but in spite of that
From this reading He was to institute inquiries which might be life or death to his sister, but yet could not keep his mind to the contemplation of that grave necessity.
