adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
bearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
costnounUS /kɑːst/
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
fearedverbUS /fɪrd/
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
footprintnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
lotnounUS /lɑːt/
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
showingnounUS /ˈʃoʊɪŋ/
the display of a motion picture
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
terrorsnounUS /ˈterərz/
plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
troubledadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəld/
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The more I pretended that I was not troubled, the more absent-minded, and so the more troubled, I appeared to her.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To have our pretty home broken up, perhaps to be put in the newspapers--which was a lot that, so far, we had always escaped in our quiet and modest life--all this was more than she or I could bear to think of.
wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading And yet, if I made no pretence, and told her what I really feared, I should have driven her almost wild by the story of my terrors.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading All the time I was trying to make my mother think that there was no ground for anxiety, and yet all the time I was showing her that I was very anxious.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I cannot well tell you how much dismay this sight of a footprint in the ground gave me, nor how many sleepless nights it cost me.
