adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
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 Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/
any person at all
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
beatingsnounUS /ˈbiːtɪŋz/
plural of “beating” — the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
clocknounUS /klɑːk/
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
clocksnounUS /klɑːks/
European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
directionsnounUS /dərˈekʃənz/
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading To what end?
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
imagineverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒən/
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
inoffensiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfensɪv/
not causing anger or annoyance
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
remarkingverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
Saint-Philippe-du-Roule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
sloweradverbUS /ˈsloʊər/
more slowly
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To what end?
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
Valentine'snounUS /ˈvæləntaɪnz/
possessive form of “valentine” — a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Valentine was alone; two other clocks, slower than that of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule, struck the hour of midnight from different directions, and excepting the rumbling of a few carriages all was silent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She began counting them, remarking that they were much slower than the beatings of her heart; and still she doubted,—the inoffensive Valentine could not imagine that anyone should desire her death.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To what end?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then Valentine’s attention was engrossed by the clock in her room, which marked the seconds.
WhynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why should they?
