used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
in the past
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading "Then you will allow me to marry Carmenilla?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her troubled breast heaved and fell.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
black-robed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Her troubled breast heaved and fell.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
Carmenilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then you will allow me to marry Carmenilla?
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
Croce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
della
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
denounceverbUS /dɪˈnaʊns/
speak out against
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
falteringnounUS /ˈfɔːltərɪŋ/
the act of pausing uncertainly
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Her troubled breast heaved and fell.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
forgivenessnounUS /fərˈɡɪvnəs/
compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
in a free manner
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
heavedverbUS /hiːvd/
past form of “heave” — utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading Her troubled breast heaved and fell.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her troubled breast heaved and fell.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
immediately past
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
take in marriage
From this reading "Then you will allow me to marry Carmenilla?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
nunsnounUS /nʌnz/
plural of “nun” — a woman religious
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
Paolo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
penitencenoun
remorse for your past conduct
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
successive (without a break)
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
carry out
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
in the direction of
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Her troubled breast heaved and fell.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In that instant she remembered what the black-robed nuns had told her long ago at San Paolo della Croce--that the first step towards penitence was forgiveness.
in or at the place that
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
which person or people
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Then you will allow me to marry Carmenilla?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She looked straight into the face of the man before her for several moments in hesitation, then at last, in a low, faltering tone, said--"The evil you tried to do me I forgive freely; but--but I cannot take the hand of a murderer"; and she turned away suddenly, her silken gown sweeping past him where he stood.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You will not denounce me as one who tried to take your life?" he cried eagerly, following her a few paces.
