used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
anew
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
in a state of sleep
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
dearly loved
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
immediately past
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
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 After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
something that is lost
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
overburdenedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈbɜːrdənd/
heavily burdened with work or cares
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
win a victory over
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
paroxysmnoun
a sudden uncontrollable attack
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
sobverbUS /sɑːb/
weep convulsively
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
the rays of the sun
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
possessing sweep
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It may have been hours that I sat at my little table, overcome by the bitterness of my loss.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading And for more hours I tossed restlessly upon my hard bed, striving in vain for comfort.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
well-nighadverb
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading In a moment, as I lay staring at the bright morning sunshine, the sorrow that had been forgotten in sleep swept over me like a flood, and I wept again at the thought of my utter loneliness and the dreadful fate that had overtaken my dear father.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading After that last paroxysm of grief I fell asleep, worn out by my own emotions, and it was long past my usual hour for rising that I finally awoke.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But suddenly, as I recalled a little affectionate gesture of my father’s, I burst into a flood of tears, and oh, what a relief it was to be able to cry—to sob away the load that had well-nigh overburdened my young heart!
