used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
blackensverbUS /ˈblækənz/
third-person singular of “blacken” — make or become black
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
rid of obstructions
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
crazyadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪzi/
affected with madness or insanity
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
dearly loved
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
dismissverbUS /dɪˈsmɪs/
bar from attention or consideration
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
at any time
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
accept an excuse for
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
a young female
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
the act of departing
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
hopelesslyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpləsli/
in a hopeless manner
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
leadsnounUS /liːdz/
plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
Marion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
mirenounUS /maɪr/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
become covered with mist
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
not any; not one
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
a course of conduct
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
pluckverbUS /plʌk/
pull or pull out sharply
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
poisonsnounUS /ˈpɔɪzənz/
plural of “poison” — any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
To recall to mind.
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
repentancenounUS /rɪˈpentəns/
remorse for your past conduct
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
short-comings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
estrangement from god
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
spreadsnounUS /spredz/
plural of “spread” — process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
stainnounUS /steɪn/
a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading “Remember, dear children, to pluck out, by the grace of Jesus, every root of sin and keep a clear conscience; don’t let any stain rest there, or it blackens the whole.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
express in words
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
up to a particular time
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the excitement about the crazy girl, I forgot it almost entirely, and indeed she was so busy that I had no opportunity of speaking to her alone.
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
at the time that
From this reading “When morning came, the fears and troubles of the night passed away like a mist, and I felt less inclined to tell aunt Marion my short-comings.
whisperings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading So, when the bustle was over and my whisperings of conscience returned, I made _that_ an excuse to myself—and tried to dismiss the whole matter from my mind.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading “But how surely our sin finds us out! how one spot on our souls, not washed clean by repentance, spreads itself and poisons the good in us: and one step taken in the wrong path leads to another and another, till we are sinking hopelessly in the mire of mistakes and sin, and lose time and strength in struggling back to the broad, clean way, if indeed the mire be not too deep for our force, and we remain there ever going deeper and deeper.
