Chapter IV · Chapter 4

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

(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 They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

being in a state of proper equilibrium

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

in a beautiful manner

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

a small circle

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

a female human offspring

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the quality of being dependable or reliable

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

an abstract part of something

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

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 His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

set afire or burning

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

and nothing more

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

a result

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

move upward

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

in a gratifying manner

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

the state of being free from danger or injury

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

process or result of becoming less or smaller

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

a momentary flash of light

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

having come into contact

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

not suspected or believed likely

From this reading The look that passed between mother and daughter was like a spark that lighted as it fell, an unsuspected need of him as man merely, the male element, security, dependability, care.

precisely as stated

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

in or at the place that

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

which person or people

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading His first response to it was that of a swimmer who has struck earth under him; he knew in that flash where he was, by what familiar shores; and the whole effect, in spite of him was of the sudden shrinkage of that lustrous sea in which his soul and sense had floated.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She had been very sweet about the ring, touched with grateful surprise for its beauty and its taste.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Something he could see of relief, of assurance, flashed and fell between the two women as she showed it to her mother.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading They had taken him so beautifully on trust, they couldn't have known, he reflected, whether he would rise at all to the delicate, balanced observation of life among them; it was evidence, the emerald circlet, of how satisfyingly he had risen.