used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
(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 But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
for the reason that
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
breaksnounUS /breɪks/
plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading So it was with David's business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
consummationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈmeɪʃən/
the completion of marriage by sexual intercourse
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
David'snounUS /ˈdeɪvɪdz/
possessive form of “david” — patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
embarrassedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈberəst/
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
the act of retaining something
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
immediately past
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
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 I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
the force of workers available
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
a particular point in time
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
movesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
on one occasion
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
go across or through
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
with speed
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
express in words
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
carry out
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
tensionnounUS /ˈtenʃən/
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
in the direction of
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
weakeradjectiveUS /ˈwiːkər/
comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
at the time that
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So it was with David's business.
a late time of life
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
