used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
(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 How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
annihilates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
apatheticadjectiveUS /ˌæpəˈθetɪk/
showing little or no emotion or animation
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
have
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
on the far side of; further than
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
not accessible to view
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
dearly loved
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
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 How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
one or the other of two
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
everydayadjectiveUS /ˈevriˈdeɪ/
found in the ordinary course of events
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
hourlyadjectiveUS /ˈaʊrli/
occurring every hour or payable by the hour
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
for more time
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
engage in
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
used to form the superlative
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
mutabilitynoun
the quality of being capable of mutation
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
mutuallyadverbUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəli/
in a mutual or shared manner
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
information about recent and important events
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
not one, and not any
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
and nothing more
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
Ottilie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
perishablenessnoun
unsatisfactoriness by virtue of being subject to decay or spoilage or destruction
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
in a strange manner
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading There are situations in which hope and fear run together, in which they mutually destroy one another, and lose themselves in a dull indifference.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
UnhappilyadverbUS /ənˈhæpəli/
in an unpleasant way
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Unhappily, none of the observations which she had occasion to make upon it escaped her.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But it is well for us that man can only endure a certain degree of unhappiness; what is beyond that either annihilates him, or passes by him, and leaves him apathetic.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
which person or people
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
in the company of; together with
From this reading How strangely, after all this, with the sense so vividly impressed on her of mutability and perishableness, must Ottilie have been affected by the news which could not any longer be kept concealed from her, that Edward had exposed himself to the uncertain chances of war!
but in spite of that
From this reading If it were not so, how could we bear to know of those who are most dear to us being in hourly peril, and yet go on as usual with our ordinary everyday life?
