1846
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
balkedverbUS /bɔːkt/
past form of “balk” — refuse to comply
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
blindnounUS /blaɪnd/
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He was nearly blind.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
cataractnounUS /ˈkætərækt/
an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading He continued to preach.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
eyesightnounUS /ˈaɪsaɪt/
normal use of the faculty of vision
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
gropeverbUS /ɡroʊp/
feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was nearly blind.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
hopesnounUS /hoʊps/
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
impairedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈperd/
diminished in strength, quality, or utility
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
informationnounUS /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
a message received and understood
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
kindsnounUS /kaɪndz/
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
knewverbUS /nuː/
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 He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
literaryadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəreri/
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was nearly blind.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
preachverbUS /priːtʃ/
deliver a sermon
From this reading He continued to preach.
progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
recogniseverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
show approval or appreciation of
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
seriouslyadverbUS /ˈsɪriəsli/
in a serious manner
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He could grope his way about, and recognise the figures of those he knew well, when they were placed against a strong light; but he could no longer see to read; and thus his eager appetite for knowledge and information of all kinds was severely balked.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her father's eyesight had become seriously impaired by the progress of the cataract which was forming.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading During this summer of 1846, while her literary hopes were waning, an anxiety of another kind was increasing.
