used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
(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 arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
basenesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
comfortinglyadverb
in a comforting or consoling manner
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
conjugaladjectiveUS /ˈkɑːndʒəɡəl/
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
couplesnounUS /ˈkʌpəlz/
plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
divorceverbUS /dɪˈvɔːrs/
part; cease or break association with
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
EdgarnounUS /ˈedɡər/
the younger brother of Edwy who became king of Northumbria when it renounced Edwy; on Edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of England (944-975)
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
envies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
yet to be or coming
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
hungeringverbUS /ˈhʌŋɡərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hunger” — feel the need to eat
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
take in marriage
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
offendernounUS /əˈfendər/
a person who transgresses moral or civil law
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
picturedadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərd/
seen in the mind as a mental image
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
reprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈhensəbəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
short-sighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
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 Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In the meanwhile they proposed to find much happiness and consolation together.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading Into his sensitive ears she poured the story of her disastrous marriage; of the far separated lives of her husband and herself; of his envies and trivial basenesses.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THEY arranged it all between them in the comfortingly short-sighted way of thousands of reprehensible couples before them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He gave her, she declared, what she had vainly been hungering for since early childhood—love and sympathy and understanding.
at the time that
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading They spoke vaguely of a divorce as though the wretched Edgar were the conjugal offender, and pictured a time in the future, after the war, when they should marry and live the bright and perfect life.
