used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
Aladdin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
any thing at all
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading CHANGES.
a young person of either sex
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
the act of departing
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
entreatynounUS /enˈtriːti/
earnest or urgent request
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
opinion or judgment
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
a social unit living together
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
fore-ordering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
Hal'snounUS /hælz/
possessive form of “hals” — Dutch portrait and genre painter who endowed his portraits with vitality and humor (1580?-1666)
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
impelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
innovationnounUS /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/
a creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
and nothing more
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
predestinationnounUS /ˌpriːdestəˈneɪʃən/
previous determination as if by destiny or fate
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
retardverbUS /rɪˈtɑːrd/
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
unisonnounUS /ˈjuːnəsən/
corresponding exactly
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Some people believe in predestination (or "fore-ordering," as Aunt Ruth used to call it), and some do not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
at the time that
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
woefuladjectiveUS /ˈwoʊfəl/
affected by or full of grief or woe
From this reading If I could have felt thus concerning Hal's departure, I should have been of more service to him, and saved myself from hearing "Oh, Emily, don't," falling as an entreaty from his lips, at sight of my swelled eyes and woeful countenance.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading I think he was heartily glad of the innovation made in our family circle, which, of itself, was as wonderful to me as the story of Aladdin's Lamp to the mind of a child.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading I never knew what I believed about events and their happening, but it was certainly true I learned to know that my efforts to hurry or retard anything were in one sense entirely futile--that is, when I did not work in unison with my surroundings, and made haste only when impelled.
