used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
(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 If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
awesomeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːsəm/
inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
Boatfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
EDITHA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
communicated in words
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
hauntingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪŋ/
continually recurring to the mind
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
heart-breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
provoking horror
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
go away from a place
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
magistratenounUS /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
major-generalnoun
a general officer ranking above a brigadier general and below a lieutenant general
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
come together
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
of an obscure nature
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
onerousadjectiveUS /ˈoʊnərəs/
not easily borne; wearing
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
perturbedadjectiveUS /pərˈtɜːrbd/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
Sue's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
carry out
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Never had his position as magistrate seemed so onerous to him, nor his duties as major-general quite so arduous.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
vastlyadverbUS /ˈvæstli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading EDITHA'S RETURN Squire Boatfield was vastly perturbed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A vague and haunting fear had seized him, a fear that--if he did do his duty, if he did continue his investigations of the mysterious crime--he would learn something vastly horrible and awesome, something he had best never know.
but in spite of that
From this reading He tried to take indifferent leave of the ladies, yet he quite dreaded to meet Lady Sue's eyes.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading If all the misery, the terror which she must feel, were expressed in them, then indeed, would her young face be a heart-breaking sight for any man to see.
