adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
afterwardsadverbUS /ˈæftərwərdz/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
agonizedadjectiveUS /ˈæɡənaɪzd/
expressing pain or agony
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
bitnounUS /bɪt/
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
cherishedadjectiveUS /ˈtʃerɪʃt/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
denouncedverbUS /dɪˈnaʊnst/
past form of “denounce” — speak out against
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
devolveverbUS /dɪˈvɑːlv/
pass on or delegate to another
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
dispelverbUS /dɪˈspel/
force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
dreadnounUS /dred/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
fanciesnounUS /ˈfænsiz/
plural of “fancy” — something many people believe that is false
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
foreknowledgenoun
knowledge of an event before it occurs
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have I struck home?"
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "Have I struck home?"
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Have I struck home?"
impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
interviewverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuː/
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
IXnoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
mistakenadjectiveUS /mɪˈsteɪkən/
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
preciseadjectiveUS /prɪˈsaɪs/
sharply exact or accurate or delimited
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
realitynounUS /ˌriːˈælətiː/
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
repeatedlyadverbUS /rɪˈpiːtɪdli/
several time
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
shocknounUS /ʃɑːk/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
stepfather's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading "Have I struck home?"
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is an infinite distance between our fancies, however precise they may be, and the least bit of reality.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
utmostadjectiveUS /ˈʌtmoʊst/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading IX This impression of dread kept hold of me during the whole of that evening, and for several days afterwards.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading My father's letters had stirred my being to its utmost depths, had summoned up tragic pictures before my eyes; but the simple fact of my having seen the agonized look in my stepfather's face, after my interview with him, gave me a shock of an entirely different kind.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even after I had read the letters repeatedly, I had cherished a secret hope that I was mistaken, that some slight proof would arise and dispel suspicions which I denounced as senseless, perhaps because I had a foreknowledge of the dreadful duty that would devolve upon me when the hour of certainty had come.
