used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
(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 He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
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 Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
CharlottenounUS /ˈʃɑːrlət/
the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
depriveverbUS /dɪˈpraɪv/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/
past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
ensuingadjectiveUS /ˈensuːɪŋ/
following immediately and as a result of what went before
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
apart from; not including
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
incumbentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/
lying or leaning on something else
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
InquisitionnounUS /ˌɪn.kwɪˈzɪʃ.ən/
A period of prolonged and intensive questioning or investigation.
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
popularlyadverbUS /ˈpɑːpjələrli/
among the people
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
rackverbUS /ræk/
go at a rack
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
stressesnounUS /ˈstresəz/
plural of “stress” — the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
required or under orders
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
a special situation
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading But deprive the butterfly of the rose and he might easily become a more tragic thing than any in existence.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
uncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading He had all his life, except in violent stresses, that happy, contented-with-the-sweet-of-the-moment temperament popularly supposed to be a characteristic of the butterfly over the rose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It seemed to Arthur Carroll in those days as if torture was as truly one of the elements incumbent upon man's existence as fire, water, or air.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Carroll, in the ensuing weeks, living alone with Charlotte, endured a species of mental and spiritual torture which might have been compared with the rack and wheel of the Inquisition.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He got an uncanny fancy that if it ceased he would cease.
