adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
allowedverbUS /əˈlaʊd/
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/
past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
culpritnounUS /ˈkʌlprɪt/
someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
doomedadjectiveUS /duːmd/
marked for certain death
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
endureverbUS /enˈdjʊr/
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
faireradjectiveUS /ˈferər/
comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
fleeverbUS /fliː/
run away quickly
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
Heaven'snounUS /ˈhevənz/
possessive form of “heaven” — any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
irrevocablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈrevəkəbli/
in an irrevocable manner
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
mercynounUS /ˈmɜːrsi/
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
resolvedadjectiveUS /riˈzɑːlvd/
determined
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
sakenounUS /seɪk/
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
sevennounUS /ˈsevən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
snatchverbUS /snætʃ/
to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
solacenounUS /ˈsɑːləs/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
sufficeverbUS /səˈfaɪs/
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
surelyadverbUS /ˈʃʊrli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Let it suffice that the clergyman resolved to flee, and not alone.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Or, if this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The struggle, if there were one, need not be described.
whereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading But now—since I am irrevocably doomed—wherefore should I not snatch the solace allowed to the condemned culprit before his execution?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading “If in all these past seven years,” thought he, “I could recall one instant of peace or hope, I would yet endure, for the sake of that earnest of Heaven’s mercy.
