used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
at or in the front
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
equally
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
(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 However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading They were miles apart at the start--miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
confined by bonds
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
placed crosswise
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
traveling across
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
differencesnounUS /ˈdɪfərənsɪz/
plural of “difference” — the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
divergeverbUS /dɪˈvɜːrdʒ/
move or draw apart
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
DIVERGINGadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrdʒɪŋ/
tending to move apart in different directions
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading They were miles apart at the start--miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment.
at any time
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
(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 In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
and nothing more
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
mergeverbUS /mɜːrdʒ/
become one
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They were miles apart at the start--miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
and nothing more
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
self-indulgencenoun
an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
successive (without a break)
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading They were miles apart at the start--miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
traditionsnounUS /trəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “tradition” — an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading They were miles apart at the start--miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
undisciplinedadjectiveUS /ənˈdɪsɪplɪnd/
not subjected to discipline
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading DIVERGING WAYS Of course the inevitable happened.
weddedadjectiveUS /ˈwedɪd/
having been taken in marriage
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were miles apart at the start--miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment.
at the time that
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence--a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them.
