used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
ambernounUS /ˈæmbər/
a deep yellow color
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
AnthemnounUS /ˈænθəm/
a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
terminate
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
CharlottenounUS /ˈʃɑːrlət/
the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
power to direct or determine
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
ecstasynounUS /ˈekstəsi/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
divisible by two
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
to an extreme degree
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
accept an excuse for
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
exertingverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exert” — put to use
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
flagellant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
lucentadjectiveUS /ˈluːsɪnt/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
not any; not one
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
a brief written record
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
pathwaynounUS /ˈpæθweɪ/
a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
patientsnounUS /ˈpeɪʃənts/
plural of “patient” — a person who requires medical care
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
perturbationnounUS /ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃən/
an unhappy and worried mental state
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
Ponsonby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
registeredadjectiveUS /ˈredʒɪstərd/
(of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The consciousness of her own perturbation made it exceedingly difficult to turn around.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
precisely as stated
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was so unhappy that it seemed the fact must be evident to even a casual observer.
at the time that
From this reading When at length the National Anthem had been played, and lucent amber was fading into early dusk, the nurse had no further excuse for turning her back on the two patients in her ward.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Charlotte Ponsonby continued to lean against the window in an abstraction which registered impressions very much as a flagellant's ecstasy may note the pathway of his torment.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She was afraid of a kindly word, or of a mere friendly glance, lest it should break through the self control she had been exerting.
