used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
(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 Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
terminate
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
centred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
gotten under control
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
Fayre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
inexplicablyadverbUS /ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
a message received and understood
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
KeannounUS /kiːn/
English actor noted for his portrayals of Shakespeare's great tragic characters (1789-1833)
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
Kean'snounUS /kiːnz/
possessive form of “kean” — English actor noted for his portrayals of Shakespeare's great tragic characters (1789-1833)
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
engage in
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
mercifullyadverbUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəliː/
in a compassionate manner
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
information about recent and important events
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
not any; not one
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
on one occasion
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
and nothing more
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
by chance
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
relyingverbUS /riˈlaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
strandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
Sybil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybil Kean’s amazing letter left Fayre in a condition of mingled bewilderment and relief.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading That the truth was contained in the letter which she had asked him only to open in the event of her death he had no doubt, and that she was relying on him to break the news as mercifully as possible to Kean was equally evident.
hard to endure
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
unravelverbUS /ənˈrævəl/
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Out of all the tangle of events that he had been trying in vain to unravel one strand at least had inexplicably straightened itself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
withheldverbUS /wɪθˈheld/
inflected form of “withhold” — hold back; refuse to hand over or share
From this reading Lady Kean was not only already in possession of the information he had stumbled on so unexpectedly, information which he had hoped against hope might possibly be kept from her, but she had deliberately withheld it from her husband.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Little difference it would make to Edward, Fayre reflected grimly, once he had lost the one being in whom his whole life was centred.
