used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading She saw that Uncle Edward was really angry though he said but little.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
braceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
terminate
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
broachedadjectiveUS /broʊtʃt/
of a cask or barrel
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
conveyverbUS /kənˈveɪ/
(of information) make known; pass on
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
curtlyadverbUS /ˈkɜːrtli/
in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
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 But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
divisible by two
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
an act that fails
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
foredoomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
a message received and understood
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
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 But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
immediately past
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She saw that Uncle Edward was really angry though he said but little.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
engage in
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
Maud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
pitiableadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiəbəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
plightnounUS /plaɪt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
prohibitionnounUS /ˌproʊəˈbɪʃən/
a law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading She saw that Uncle Edward was really angry though he said but little.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She saw that Uncle Edward was really angry though he said but little.
cut with a saw
From this reading She saw that Uncle Edward was really angry though he said but little.
only a very short time before
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
Sheppard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
express in speech
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
express in words
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She saw that Uncle Edward was really angry though he said but little.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
up to a particular time
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
uncompromisingadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/
not making concessions
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had been on the verge of doing so many times, but always, in his bluff fashion, he had managed to convey to her that the subject was not to be broached.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE OPEN DOOR Not till she had been in her uncle’s house for close upon four weeks did Maud brace herself to speak to him of her mother.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
at the time that
From this reading She scarcely knew how to make it, so uncompromising was the old man’s attitude, and when at last it was made, when in desperation she forced herself to tell him of her mother’s pitiable plight, she regretted it almost immediately so curtly was her information received.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But for an urgent letter from Mrs. Sheppard herself, she would scarcely have summoned the courage to break through what was almost a prohibition, for Uncle Edward was not an easy man to resist; and even as she did so, she knew with absolute conviction that her effort was foredoomed to failure.
