Chapter VII · The Severed Hearts

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

matters of personal concern

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

later than; following

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

(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 Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

Having no one else present.

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

behind schedule

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

disagreement among those expected to cooperate

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

being effective without wasting time or effort or expense

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

involving financial matters

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

an old form of “has”

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

having services engaged for a fee

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

plural of “laborer” — someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

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 Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

United States composer of works noted for their use of the American vernacular (1893-1969)

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

a form of address for a man

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

not any; not one

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

in an exhaustive manner

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

bound or secured closely

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

an untroubled state; free from disturbances

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

lacking kindness

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Some hours after the arrival of the company, old Mr. Clifton sat alone in his study, examining piles of accounts, merchants’, mechanics’, and hired laborers’ bills, that had come in as usual upon the first of July, many weeks before, yet had not, up to this night, been settled.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

at the time that

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The cause of this was that no plantation and plantation house can thoroughly succeed without the personal superintendence of an efficient _mistress_ to assist the master’s effort.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!

without justice or fairness

From this reading A something light as air—a look— A word unkind or wrongly taken; Oh, love that tempests never shook, A breath—a touch like this hath shaken.—MOORE.

a late time of life

From this reading For many years past the financial affairs of the Master of Clifton had been falling behindhand.

but in spite of that

From this reading Alas! how slight a cause may move Dissension between hearts that love— Hearts that the world in vain had tried, And sorrow but more closely tied; That stood the storm when waves were rough, Yet in a sunny hour fell off, Like ships that have gone down at sea, When Heaven was all tranquillity!