used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Otherwise, it would have begun with platitudes.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
Eustace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Otherwise, it would have begun with platitudes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Otherwise, it would have begun with platitudes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
in other respects or ways
From this reading Otherwise, it would have begun with platitudes.
paradoxicallyadverbUS /ˌperəˈdɑːksəkli/
in a paradoxical manner
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
platitudesnounUS /ˈplætɪtuːdz/
plural of “platitude” — a trite or obvious remark
From this reading Otherwise, it would have begun with platitudes.
pleasurableadjectiveUS /ˈpleʒərəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
protractedadjectiveUS /proʊˈtræktɪd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
Rosen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
seclusionnounUS /sɪˈkluːʒən/
the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Both instinctively dreaded with a pleasurable dread the shock of speech.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
unavoidableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbəl/
impossible to avoid or evade
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
under normal conditions
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
precisely as stated
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
Von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In a way this was the first time the two had been alone with any chance of a seclusion protracted beyond a very few minutes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Since neither Von Rosen nor Annie Eustace were given usually to platitudes, the silence was unavoidable.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The conversation began, paradoxically, with a silence.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Otherwise, it would have begun with platitudes.
