used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
(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 His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
apaceadverbUS /əˈpeɪs/
(poetic, literary) quickly
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
dearly loved
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
bindingnounUS /ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
the capacity to attract and hold something
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
the specified day of the month
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
divorceverbUS /dɪˈvɔːrs/
part; cease or break association with
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
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 So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
fetternounUS /ˈfetər/
a shackle for the ankles or feet
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
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 She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
lawyersnounUS /ˈlɔːjərz/
plural of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
the literary culture
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
mainspringnoun
the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
Michael'snounUS /ˈmaɪkəlz/
possessive form of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
and nothing more
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
the act of departing politely
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
Sabine'snounUS /səˈbiːnz/
possessive form of “sabine” — a river in eastern Texas that flows south into the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
stabverbUS /stæb/
use a knife on
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
carry out
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
welfarenounUS /ˈwelfer/
governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Meanwhile the divorce affair went on apace.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was no defence, of course, and Michael's lawyers were clever and his own influence was great.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She knew she was really the mainspring of his life and she could not, did not, dare to face what might be the consequence of her parting from him.
at the time that
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading His letters all this month had been more than extra tender and devoted, each one showing that his whole desire was only for Sabine's welfare, and each one, as she read it, put a fresh stab into her heart and seemed like an extra fetter in the chain binding her to him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading So freedom would come before the end of term probably, if not early in the New Year, and Henry felt he might begin to ask his beloved one to name a date when he could call her his own, and endeavor to take every shadow from her life.
