used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
achievementsnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənts/
plural of “achievement” — the action of accomplishing something
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
brought into existence
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
enhancedadjectiveUS /enˈhænst/
increased or intensified in value or beauty or quality
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
divisible by two
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
Helene's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
impalpableadjective
incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
inhumedadjective
placed in a grave
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
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 Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
mother-in-lawnounUS /ˈmʌðərɪnlɔː/
the mother of your spouse
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
not divisible by two
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
outspokenadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈspoʊkən/
given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
pastsnounUS /pæsts/
plural of “past” — the time that has elapsed
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
progressivelyadverbUS /prɑːˈɡresɪvli/
advancing in amount or intensity
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
Ruyler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
transientlyadverb
for a very short time
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
uncommonlyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːmənli/
exceptionally
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That there was a secret of some sort he had been progressively convinced for quite six months.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
at the time that
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading After all, she had been born in this city of odd and whispered pasts, and there were moments when his silent mother-in-law suggested a past of her own.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Price Ruyler knew that many secrets had been inhumed by the earthquake and fire of San Francisco and wondered if his wife's had been one of them.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Moreover, he felt equally sure that this impalpable gray cloud had not drifted even transiently between himself and his wife during the first year and a half of their marriage.
but in spite of that
From this reading They had been uncommonly happy; they were happy yet ... the difference lay not in the quality of Helene's devotion, enhanced always by an outspoken admiration for himself and his achievements, but in subtle changes of temperament and spirits.
