used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
(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 And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
anticipatingverbUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “anticipate” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
Barfoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
for the reason that
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
DECISIVEadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
desiringverbUS /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
command with authority
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
disinterestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɪntrɪstɪd/
unaffected by self-interest
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
your usual mood
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
exciteverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪt/
arouse or elicit a feeling
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
fervours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
set up or found
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
the act of departing
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
joysnounUS /dʒɔɪz/
plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
for more time
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
engage in
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
modesnounUS /moʊdz/
plural of “mode” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
a particular point in time
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
not any; not one
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
many times at short intervals
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
outliveverbUS /ˌaʊtˈlɪv/
live longer than
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
repining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
rulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
scopenounUS /skoʊp/
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/
plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
sympathiesnounUS /ˈsɪmpəθiz/
plural of “sympathy” — an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
temperedadjectiveUS /ˈtempərd/
made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
in the direction of
From this reading TOWARDS THE DECISIVE Mary Barfoot had never suffered from lack of interest in life.
transmuteverb
change in outward structure or looks
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
unweddedadjective
of someone who has not been married
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
look attentively
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
at the time that
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Many a vivid moment dwelt in her memory; joys and sorrows, personal or of larger scope, affected her the more deeply because of that ruling intelligence which enabled her to transmute them into principles.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading And at present there was going forward under her own roof, within her daily observation, a comedy, a drama, which had power to excite all her disinterested emotions.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
womanlyadjective
befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman
From this reading So kindly had nature tempered her disposition, that already she had been able to outlive those fervours of instinct which often make the middle life of an unwedded woman one long repining; but her womanly sympathies remained.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading No longer anticipating or desiring any great change in her own environment, in the modes and motives of her activity, she found it a sufficient happiness to watch, and when possible to direct, the tendency of younger lives.
