used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
(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 she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
alternatedverbUS /ˈɔːltərneɪtɪd/
past form of “alternate” — go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
provide a cure for, make healthy again
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
divisible by two
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
exhilarationnounUS /ɪɡˌzɪlərˈeɪʃən/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
at a previous time
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
set up or found
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
imaginings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
Madeleine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
and nothing more
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
nauseousadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːʃəs/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
absolutely essential
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
oblivionnounUS /əˈblɪviən/
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
more desirable than another
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
quantitiesnounUS /ˈkwɑːntətiz/
plural of “quantity” — how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
stimulantnounUS /ˈstɪmjələnt/
any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
sufferingsnounUS /ˈsʌfərɪŋz/
plural of “suffering” — a state of acute pain
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading But she had found the result all that she had expected, she had alternated between exhilaration and oblivion, and was sure that it was killing her by inches.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
tonicsnounUS /ˈtɑːnɪks/
plural of “tonic” — lime- or lemon-flavored carbonated water containing quinine
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
at the time that
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Now, she could indulge in neither wild imaginings nor forget.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading After her grim decision she had forced large quantities down her throat by sheer strength of will.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading But Madeleine's sufferings were more mental than physical, although she was willing the doctor should form the natural conclusion.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was possessed by the fear that a cure would be forced upon her; she was indifferent even to the taste of liquor, and had merely preferred it formerly to bitter or nauseous tonics; in Society it had been a necessary stimulant, when her strength began to fail, nothing more.
