used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
buttressingnounUS /ˈbʌtrəsɪŋ/
a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
celibatenounUS /ˈselɪbət/
an unmarried person who has taken a religious vow of chastity
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
coincidencenounUS /koʊˈɪnsɪdəns/
an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
intense and profound fear
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
Mark'snounUS /mɑːrks/
possessive form of “mark” — a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
not any; not one
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
protagonistnounUS /proʊˈtæɡənəst/
a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
psychicaladjectiveUS /ˈsaɪkɪkəl/
affecting or influenced by the human mind
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
publishverbUS /ˈpʌblɪʃ/
put into print
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
SCHOLARSHIPnounUS /ˈskɑːlərʃɪp/
financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
StarlingnounUS /ˈstɑːrlɪŋ/
gregarious birds native to the Old World
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
strengtheningnounUS /ˈstreŋθənɪŋ/
becoming stronger
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
propel through the air
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
unbelievers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pity that out of regard for Esther he could not publish it for the encouragement of the faithful and the confusion of the unbelievers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He never imagined himself as a possible protagonist in such a scene; but the impression of that earlier encounter between his mother and father which gave him a horror of human love was now renewed.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE SCHOLARSHIP The encounter between Esther and Will Starling had the effect of strengthening Mark's intention to be celibate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was renewed, moreover, with the light of a miracle to throw it into high relief.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading And this miracle could not be explained away as a coincidence, but was an old-fashioned miracle that required no psychical buttressing, a hard and fast miracle able to withstand any criticism.
