AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
analysisnounUS /əˈnæləsəs/
an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
articlenounUS /ˈɑːrtəkəl/
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
asideadverbUS /əˈsaɪd/
on or to one side
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
by-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
capitalnounUS /ˈkæpətəl/
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
CertainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
communicatingnounUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪŋ/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
dignitynounUS /ˈdɪɡnəti/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
evadingverbUS /ɪˈveɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “evade” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
evanescentadjectiveUS /ˌevəˈnesənt/
tending to vanish like vapor
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
fashionsnounUS /ˈfæʃənz/
plural of “fashion” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
fastenedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsənd/
firmly closed or secured
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
honournounUS /ˈɑːnər/
the state of being honored
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
interpretationnounUS /ˌɪntɜːrprɪˈteɪʃən/
a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
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 It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
measurementnounUS /ˈmeʒərmənt/
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
mysticadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstɪk/
having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
particularsnounUS /pərˈtɪkjələrz/
plural of “particular” — a fact about some part (as opposed to general)
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
ranknounUS /ræŋk/
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
sensibilitiesnounUS /ˌsensɪˈbɪlɪtiz/
plural of “sensibility” — mental responsiveness and awareness
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
signifiednounUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪd/
the meaning of a word or expression; the way in which a word or expression or situation can be interpreted
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
solvingnounUS /ˈsɑːlvɪŋ/
finding a solution to a problem
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
strangelyadverbUS /ˈstreɪndʒli/
in a strange manner
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
subtlyadverbUS /ˈsʌtəli/
in a subtle manner
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
symbolnounUS /ˈsɪmbəl/
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the capital letter A. By an accurate measurement, each limb proved to be precisely three inches and a quarter in length.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress; but how it was to be worn, or what rank, honour, and dignity, in by-past times, were signified by it, was a riddle which (so evanescent are the fashions of the world in these particulars) I saw little hope of solving.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Certainly there was some deep meaning in it most worthy of interpretation, and which, as it were, streamed forth from the mystic symbol, subtly communicating itself to my sensibilities, but evading the analysis of my mind.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My eyes fastened themselves upon the old scarlet letter, and would not be turned aside.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet it strangely interested me.
