used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
agitatingadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪŋ/
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
(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 They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
annoyancesnounUS /əˈnɔɪənsɪz/
plural of “annoyance” — the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
apologizedverbUS /əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzd/
past form of “apologize” — acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
have
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
crowningadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊnɪŋ/
representing a level of the highest possible achievement or attainment
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/
a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
divisible by two
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Did she regret that January night with all its mystery, its hurry, and tumult of feeling?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Did she regret that January night with all its mystery, its hurry, and tumult of feeling?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Did she regret that January night with all its mystery, its hurry, and tumult of feeling?
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
LilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
Lily'snounUS /ˈlɪliːz/
possessive form of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
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 If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
Mansenoun
a large and imposing house
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Did she regret that January night with all its mystery, its hurry, and tumult of feeling?
not one and not the other of two
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
outcomenounUS /ˈaʊtkʌm/
something that results
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
by chance
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/
most frequent or common
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
with low volume
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading Did she regret that January night with all its mystery, its hurry, and tumult of feeling?
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
shamedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪmd/
showing a sense of guilt
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
sweetlyadverbUS /ˈswiːtli/
in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They all apologized to her for bringing her into the midst of their annoyances, but it was, in fact, nothing but an advantage.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
tumultnounUS /ˈtuːməlt/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading Did she regret that January night with all its mystery, its hurry, and tumult of feeling?
upbraidedverbUS /əpˈbreɪdɪd/
past form of “upbraid” — express criticism towards
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This agitating episode in Lily’s life was a relief to her from her own prevailing troubles.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To contrast what she had herself to bear with the lot of Helen even was good for Lily.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
a late time of life
From this reading If she had but known a little sooner how long and sweetly that patient creature had waited, how many years had passed over her head, while she did her duty quietly, and neither upbraided God nor man, Lily thought it would have shamed herself into quiet, too, and prevented, perhaps, that crowning outcome of impatience which had taken place in the Manse parlor on that January night.
