used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
(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 All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
move towards
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
archnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
austeritynounUS /ˌɔːˈsterɪti/
the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
betrothalnoun
a mutual promise to marry
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
the two together, not just one
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
clear-visioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
cleaveverbUS /kliːv/
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
conventionalitynoun
conformity with conventional thought and behavior
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
coynesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
divisible by two
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
flimsiestadjectiveUS /ˈflɪmziəst/
superlative of “flimsy” — lacking solidity or strength
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
death of a person
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
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 Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
lovemakingnounUS /ˈlʌvmeɪkɪŋ/
sexual activities (often including sexual intercourse) between two people
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
not any; not one
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
with low volume
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Here was no room for the archnesses and coynesses of ordinary lovemaking.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
be standing; be upright
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
tawdryadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːdri/
tastelessly showy
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
unseparated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
the act of using
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a grave beauty, an austerity almost, about this betrothal in the prison.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All that was not simple truth fell away from them both like tawdry ornaments, for which there was no use in that sad place.
which person or people
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading To cleave to one another, to stand together, he and she, against the whole world,--that was what their betrothal meant.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Soul to soul, unseparated by even the flimsiest veil of conventionality, of custom; soul to soul, clear-visioned, steadfast, as those may be who are quietly watching the approach of death, they looked into each other's eyes and knew that they were alone, he and she, against the world.
