used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
acquaintverbUS /əˈkweɪnt/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
administeredverbUS /ədˈmɪnəstərd/
past form of “administer” — work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
afflictionnounUS /əˈflɪkʃən/
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
alarmsnounUS /əˈlɑːrmz/
plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
for the reason that
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
carefully weighed
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
diseasenounUS /dɪˈziːz/
an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
dissipateverbUS /ˈdɪsəpeɪt/
to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
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 My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
a social unit living together
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
importuned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
indispositionnoun
a slight illness
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
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 “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
held dear
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
medicinesnounUS /ˈmedəsənz/
plural of “medicine” — the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
and nothing more
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
physiciansnounUS /fəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
with speed
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My silence increased their alarms, nor could the physicians dissipate their fears for my safety, because they knew nothing of my disease, which was only increased by the medicines they administered.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
precisely as stated
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
at the time that
From this reading “My relations began to despair of my life, when an old lady of their acquaintance, being informed of my illness, arrived; she considered me with a great deal of attention, and after she had thoroughly examined me, she discovered, I know not by what chance, the cause of my disorder.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I returned home in a state very different from that in which I had left it: agitated by a passion so much the more violent from its being the first attack.
which person or people
From this reading My relations, who loved me, alarmed by so sudden an indisposition, came quickly to see me, and importuned me to acquaint them of the cause, but I was very careful to keep it secret.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I went to bed with a raging fever, which caused great affliction in my household.
