used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WITHOUT A HOME.
adriftadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
anew
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
Alexie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
assuageverbUS /əˈsweɪdʒ/
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
make calm or still
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
dearly loved
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
dorynounUS /ˈdɔːri/
a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
with resolute determination
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
a young female
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
haplessadjectiveUS /ˈhæpləs/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading WITHOUT A HOME.
intense and profound fear
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
murderessnoun
a woman murderer
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
MurraynounUS /ˈmɜːri/
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
not any; not one
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
OverwhelmedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/
past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
perishedverbUS /ˈperɪʃt/
past form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
by chance
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
resolveverbUS /riˈzɑːlv/
bring to an end; settle conclusively
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
swimmernounUS /ˈswɪmər/
a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets
From this reading “Dear Mrs. Murray, he was such a splendid swimmer, it is not probable he could have perished in so calm a sea,” she cried.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She regarded the hapless girl as a murderess.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
precisely as stated
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading In vain did Alexie try to assuage her keen despair by pointing out to her that there was no certainty of her son’s death, but that he might possibly have been saved by the very steamer that had destroyed the little dory and set Italy adrift upon the wide sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Overwhelmed with grief and horror at her son’s fate, Mrs. Murray held firmly to her resolve not to see Italy again.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading WITHOUT A HOME.
