used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
agonizedadjectiveUS /ˈæɡənaɪzd/
expressing pain or agony
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
attachmentnounUS /əˈtætʃmənt/
a feeling of affection for a person or an institution
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MAIDA’S DECISION “Maida, it cannot be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
make calm or still
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAIDA’S DECISION “Maida, it cannot be.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
a female human offspring
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading MAIDA’S DECISION “Maida, it cannot be.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
demonstrativenounUS /dɪˈmɑːnstrətɪv/
a pronoun that points out an intended referent
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
psychological suffering
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
idolatrynounUS /aɪˈdɑːlətri/
the worship of idols; the worship of physical objects or images as gods
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MAIDA’S DECISION “Maida, it cannot be.
Jeffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
Keefe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
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 Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
held dear
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
Maida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAIDA’S DECISION “Maida, it cannot be.
MAIDA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAIDA’S DECISION “Maida, it cannot be.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
take in marriage
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
a form of address for a man
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
and nothing more
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
with low volume
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
Sara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
express in words
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
sinceritynounUS /sɪnˈserəti/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
sterlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrlɪŋ/
highest in quality
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
tear-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
WheelernounUS /ˈwiːlər/
Scottish archaeologist (1890-1976)
From this reading Sara Wheeler spoke quietly, but her agonized face and tear-filled eyes told of her deep distress.
at the time that
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t say you won’t let me, mother,” Maida spoke in a dull, sad tone—a tone of calm despair.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Though not demonstrative, she loved her daughter, her only child, with an affection that was almost idolatry, and she had been glad of the idea of Maida’s marriage to Jeffrey, for she knew of his sterling worth, and she knew the depth and sincerity of their attachment.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I shall never let you marry Mr. Keefe when I know how you love Jeffrey.”
