used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
(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 In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
arbitraryadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrbətreri/
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
the two together, not just one
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
rid of obstructions
From this reading HOW TO CLEAR IT UP.
crazedadjectiveUS /kreɪzd/
driven insane
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
dearly loved
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
defraudedverbUS /dɪˈfrɔːdɪd/
past form of “defraud” — deprive of by deceit
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
deservedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvd/
properly deserved
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
elucidationnoun
an act of explaining that serves to clear up and cast light on
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
apart from; not including
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/
plural of “glory” — a state of high honor
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
hereditaryadjectiveUS /hərˈedəteri/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW TO CLEAR IT UP.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
of great significance or value
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOW TO CLEAR IT UP.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
mandatenounUS /ˈmændeɪt/
a document giving an official instruction or command
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
needfuladjectiveUS /ˈniːdfəl/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
prohibitingverbUS /proʊˈhɪbətɪŋ/
-ing form of “prohibit” — command against
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Meantime, Charles had little now to live for, except his dear forbidden Emily, any more than she for him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW TO CLEAR IT UP.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading HOW TO CLEAR IT UP.
precisely as stated
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In all this there was mystery enough for a dozen lovers to have crazed their brains about.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Emily might be a queen of the East, defrauded of hereditary glories, and at any rate deserved such rank, if Charles was to be judge; but what was more important, if the general had any reason at all for his arbitrary mandate prohibiting their love, it was very possible that reason was a false one.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And to peace of mind in both, the elucidation of that mystery which hung about her birth, grew more needful day by day.
