adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
bitteradjectiveUS /ˈbɪtər/
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
brainnounUS /breɪn/
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
cheeksnounUS /tʃiːks/
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
clasping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
corpsenounUS /kɔːrps/
the dead body of a human being
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
couragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
departedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪd/
well in the past; former
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
discoveredadjectiveUS /dɪˈskʌvərd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
eyelidsnounUS /ˈaɪlɪdz/
plural of “eyelid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
fledverbUS /fled/
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
GraduallyadverbUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəli/
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
hastauxiliary verbUS /hæst/
an old form of “have”, used with “thou”
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
impressedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprest/
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
kissnounUS /kɪs/
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
legacynounUS /ˈleɡəsi/
(law) a gift of personal property by will
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
manlyadjectiveUS /ˈmænli/
possessing qualities befitting a man
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
mentaladjectiveUS /ˈmentəl/
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
paleadjectiveUS /peɪl/
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
paralysed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
PhilipnounUS /ˈfɪləp/
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
Philip'snounUS /ˈfɪləps/
possessive form of “philip” — Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
PooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
recoveredadjectiveUS /rəˈkʌvərd/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
revertedverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
scathed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
shocknounUS /ʃɑːk/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
solemnadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləm/
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
sorrowfullyadverb
in a sorrowful manner
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
tearsnounUS /terz/
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading "Poor mother!" said he, sorrowfully, as he completed his task, "at length thou hast found rest,--but thou hast left thy son a bitter legacy."
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading Gradually he recovered himself; he rose, smoothed down the pillow, closed her eyelids, and then clasping his hands, the tears trickled down his manly cheeks.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
vacuitynoun
the absence of matter
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
Vanderdecken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading And as Philip's thoughts reverted to what had passed, the dreadful narrative whirled in his imagination and scathed his brain.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading He impressed a solemn kiss upon the pale white forehead of the departed, and drew the curtains round the bed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Philip Vanderdecken, strong as he was in mental courage, was almost paralysed by the shock when he discovered that his mother's spirit had fled; and for some time he remained by the side of the bed with his eyes fixed upon the corpse, and his mind in a state of vacuity.
