adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
advantagenounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
bridgesnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒəz/
United States labor leader who organized the longshoremen (1901-1990)
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
confessionalnounUS /kənˈfeʃənəl/
a booth where a priest sits to hear confessions
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
confidencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədənsɪz/
plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
deeplyadverbUS /ˈdiːpli/
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
herspronounUS /hərz/
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
HopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
innocentadjectiveUS /ˈɪnəsənt/
free from evil or guilt
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
lightlyadverbUS /ˈlaɪtli/
without good reason
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
roadwaynounUS /ˈroʊdweɪ/
a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Clay lowered his eyes and sat silent, looking down the roadway.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
thrilledadjectiveUS /θrɪld/
feeling intense pleasurable excitement
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
tremblingnounUS /ˈtrembəlɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
truthsnounUS /truːθs/
plural of “truth” — a fact that has been verified
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Hope turned and looked at him with eyes full of such sweet meaning that he was forced to turn his own away.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He wanted to reach out his hand and seize both of hers, and tell her how much she was to him, but it seemed like taking advantage of the truths of a confessional, or of a child's innocent confidences.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
wishverbUS /wɪʃ/
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The thought that the girl felt what she said so deeply, and that the fact that she had said it meant more to him than anything else in the world could mean, left him thrilled and trembling.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "No, Miss Hope," he answered, with an effort to speak lightly, "I wish I could believe you, but I know myself better than any one else can, and I know that while my bridges may stand examination--_I_ can't."
