used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
(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 But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
amputationnounUS /ˌæmpjəˈteɪʃən/
a condition of disability resulting from the loss of one or more limbs
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
any thing at all
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
DELUGEnounUS /ˈdeljuːdʒ/
an overwhelming number or amount
From this reading THE DELUGE.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
dress-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading The indescribable deluge!
inflictionnounUS /ˌɪnˈflɪkʃən/
the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
a particular point in time
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
plunge-bath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DELUGE.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
tooth-pulling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
window-sash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Julia, as she stood busily sticking a pin in the window-sash, waiting for her mother to begin, wished that the storm might burst, and be done with it.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading A plunge-bath, a tooth-pulling, an amputation, and a dress-party are all worse in anticipation than in the moment of infliction.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading But, after all, the worst of anything of that sort is the moment before it begins.
