used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first Helen refused to credit the report.
aunt'snounUS /ænts/
possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
for the reason that
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
blindedadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪd/
deprived of sight
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
bombshellnounUS /ˈbɑːmʃel/
an entertainer who has a sensational effect
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
approval
From this reading At first Helen refused to credit the report.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
crushingadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌʃɪŋ/
physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
any strong feeling
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/
past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first Helen refused to credit the report.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading At first Helen refused to credit the report.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
HystericallyadverbUS /ˌhɪˈsterɪkli/
in a hysterical manner
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
inflictedverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪktɪd/
past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
kidnappedverbUS /ˈkɪdnæpt/
inflected form of “kidnap” — take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
immediately past
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
of an obscure nature
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
not any; not one
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
PhiladelphianounUS /ˌfɪləˈdelfiə/
the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
Ray'snounUS /reɪz/
possessive form of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
re-read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading At first Helen refused to credit the report.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading At first Helen refused to credit the report.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
a state of acute pain
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
Traynor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Hysterically she cried: "What have I done that I should be made to suffer in this way?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It seemed impossible that any new suffering was to be inflicted upon her after what she had already endured.
at the time that
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
a Caucasian
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading White faced, her whole being shaken by emotion, she read and re-read her aunt's letter, telling of the child's mysterious disappearance, and when at last she could read it no more because of the tears that blinded her, she threw herself limp and broken hearted into Ray's arms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The startling news from Philadelphia that Dorothy had suddenly disappeared and was believed to have been kidnapped, fell upon the Traynor home with the crushing force of a bombshell.
