used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "I came back, papa," Charlotte repeated.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I came back, papa," Charlotte repeated.
CarrollnounUS /ˈkærəl/
English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
CharlottenounUS /ˈʃɑːrlət/
the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina
From this reading "I came back, papa," Charlotte repeated.
Charlotte'snounUS /ˈʃɑːrləts/
possessive form of “charlotte” — the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
a young female
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
half-laughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
half-weeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
the quality of being humane
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I came back, papa," Charlotte repeated.
impregnableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpreɡnəbəl/
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading "I came back, papa," Charlotte repeated.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
recurring again and again
From this reading "I came back, papa," Charlotte repeated.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He was stayed.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
tiesnounUS /taɪz/
plural of “tie” — neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time in his life Arthur Carroll had a perfect sense of the staying power, of the impregnable support, of love and the natural ties of humanity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Charlotte's slender arms closed around his neck; she stood, half-weeping, half-laughing, leaning against him, but in reality he leaned against her, the soul of the man against the soul of the girl, and he got from it a strength which was stronger than life or death.
whitnounUS /wɪt/
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading He felt that it bent not one whit before his terrible weight of misery and perplexity.
