used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
accusationsnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃənz/
plural of “accusation” — a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
(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 They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
bloodlessadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdləs/
destitute of blood or apparently so
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
gotten under control
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
crackledverbUS /ˈkrækəld/
past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
start firing a weapon
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
firelightnoun
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/
29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
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 They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
lifelessnessnoun
a state of no motion or movement
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
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 It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
Maddison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
MarianadjectiveUS /ˈmeriən/
of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
MortimernounUS /ˈmɔːrtɪmər/
English nobleman who deposed Edward II and was executed by Edward III (1287-1330)
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
pluckedadjectiveUS /plʌkt/
of a stringed instrument; sounded with the fingers or a plectrum
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
scorchingadjectiveUS /ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ/
hot and dry enough to burn or parch a surface
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
subservientadjectiveUS /səbˈsɜːrviənt/
compliant and obedient to authority
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he sat down, and leaning forward read them by the dancing firelight.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE instant the door had shut behind Mortimer, Maddison plucked the scorching papers from the fire; they had by sheer chance fallen on a mass of black coals out of reach of the flames.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
precisely as stated
From this reading They contained a cold, bloodless account of all that Mrs. Harding knew of Marian, and by their very lifelessness carried conviction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were hot and crackled in his fingers as he opened them.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was not without a struggle, however, that he allowed himself to believe the accusations brought against her; for long his heart refused to be subservient to his reason.
