used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
accusationnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/
a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she failed utterly.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
clotheverbUS /kloʊð/
provide with clothes or put clothes on
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
without deviation
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
an opposing military force
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
divisible by two
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
give expression to
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading But she failed utterly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
(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 A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
immodestadjective
having or showing an exaggerated opinion of your importance, ability, etc
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
improbabilitynoun
the quality of being improbable
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
kindleverbUS /ˈkɪndəl/
catch fire
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
the force of workers available
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
and nothing more
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
reprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈhensəbəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
shredsnounUS /ʃredz/
plural of “shred” — a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
be standing; be upright
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
a special situation
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
unwarrantableadjective
incapable of being justified or explained
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading But she failed utterly.
precisely as stated
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
