used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
equally
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
ancestraladjectiveUS /ænˈsestrəl/
inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
AtlanticnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/
the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
BARBARA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BARBARA STAFFORD'S STORY.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
earldoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
at any time
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a state of high honor
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
heirsnounUS /erz/
plural of “heir” — a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
immediately past
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a particular point in time
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
not any; not one
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
richestadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃəst/
superlative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
ritenounUS /raɪt/
an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
STAFFORD'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BARBARA STAFFORD'S STORY.
not in physical motion
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading BARBARA STAFFORD'S STORY.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "My father was a proud man, as you know, but how much reason he had for this lofty ancestral pride no one on this side of the Atlantic ever guessed.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
titlesnounUS /ˈtaɪtəlz/
plural of “title” — a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He was, in fact, when we came to this country, the next heir to one of the richest earldoms in England--one of those few titles that fall alike to male and female heirs.
at the time that
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Barbara Stafford covered her face with both hands, for a moment pressing her temples hard, as if she hoped thus to still the crowd of thoughts under which her brain struggled.
a late time of life
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Let me begin years back when you performed the marriage rite which has been the glory and bitterness of my life," she commenced at last, in a low, forced voice that betrayed the painful effort she was making.
