adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
angularadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡjələr/
measured by an angle or by the rate of change of an angle
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
birdnounUS /bɜːrd/
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
birthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
Catherine'snounUS /ˈkæθrɪnz/
possessive form of “catherine” — first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
eludedverbUS /ɪˈluːdɪd/
past form of “elude” — escape, either physically or mentally
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
gesturenounUS /ˈdʒestʃər/
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
herspronounUS /hərz/
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
hithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
imperativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈperətɪv/
requiring attention or action
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
jealouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒeləsli/
with jealousy
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
motionnounUS /ˈmoʊʃən/
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
noticedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəst/
being perceived or observed
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
oddlyadverbUS /ˈɑːdli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
possessiveadjectiveUS /pəˈzesɪv/
serving to express or indicate possession
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
possessivenessnounUS /pəˈzesɪvnəs/
excessive desire to possess or dominate
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
pursuitnounUS /pərˈsuːt/
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
remindedverbUS /riˈmaɪndɪd/
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
repugnantadjectiveUS /rɪˈpʌɡnənt/
offensive to the mind
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
shocknounUS /ʃɑːk/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
surrenderedverbUS /sərˈendərd/
past form of “surrender” — give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
swaddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
talonsnounUS /ˈtælənz/
plural of “talon” — a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
tenderadjectiveUS /ˈtendər/
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was none of the tender possessiveness of love about it.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading As she took it from him he noticed that those thin, angular arms of hers seemed to close round the little swaddled body in an almost jealously possessive clasp.
triumphantlyadverbUS /traɪˈʌmfəntli/
in a triumphant manner
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The birth of a daughter came upon Hugh in the light of an almost overwhelming shock.
victimnounUS /ˈvɪktəm/
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In some oddly repugnant way it reminded him of the motion of a bird of prey at last gripping triumphantly in its talons a victim that has hitherto eluded pursuit.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was quite silent when, in response to Catherine’s imperative gesture, he surrendered the child into her arms once more.
