used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
the state of being absent
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
(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 Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
BroodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading Brooding.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
bête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
Henrietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
injuriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʒʊriəs/
harmful to living things
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
noir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
and nothing more
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
pinedverbUS /paɪnd/
past form of “pine” — have a desire for something or someone who is not present
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
Prendergast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
secretiveadjectiveUS /ˈsiːkrətɪv/
inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading Her husband's profession was the _bête noir_ of her existence, was the barrier between her and the happiness for which she vainly longed and pined.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
Wilmot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect of her husband's letter on Mrs. Wilmot's mind, strengthened by the view taken of its contents by Henrietta Prendergast, was of the most serious and injurious nature.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hitherto the unhappiness which had possessed her had been negative--had been literally unhappiness, the absence of joy; but from the hour she read Wilmot's letter, and talked over it with her friend, all that was negative in her state of mind changed to the positive.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Hitherto she had been jealous--jealous as only a woman of a thoroughly proud, sensitive, secretive, and sullen nature can be--of an abstraction.
