used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
(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 They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
AntonynounUS /ˈæntəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “By God, you’ve hit it, Lu!” he repeated.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/
growing close together but not in dense mats
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
Crespin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
Crespin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
the act of discovering something
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
divisible by two
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
exultantlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzʌltəntli/
in an exultant manner
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading “By God, you’ve hit it, Lu!” he repeated.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
cause to move by striking
From this reading “By God, you’ve hit it, Lu!” he repeated.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
life-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
LunounUS /luː/
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; usually occurs in association with yttrium
From this reading “By God, you’ve hit it, Lu!” he repeated.
Lucilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
the force of workers available
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
recurring again and again
From this reading “By God, you’ve hit it, Lu!” he repeated.
precisely, exactly
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
only a very short time before
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
shipwrecknounUS /ˈʃɪprek/
a wrecked ship (or a part of one)
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
having a supporting base
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
not in physical motion
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
Traherne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
Traherne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They clustered together excitedly, Lucilla Crespin still in her seat, the two men standing close before her.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They all three were excited—even Traherne, though he scarcely showed it—and they drew closer together eagerly.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading What importance Mrs. Crespin’s discovery, if she was right, could be to them, or why it excited them, not one of them could have said; but in such threatening of shipwreck as theirs agitated human minds see in every straw a possible life-boat, and catch at it anxiously.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Traherne’s face alert, the woman’s eyes sparkling, and Antony Crespin raised his voice exultantly.
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “By God, you’ve hit it, Lu!” he repeated.
