used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
any thing at all
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
from appearances alone
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
CheerfulnessnounUS /ˈtʃɪrfəlnəs/
the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
in a gradual manner
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sidney had risen to the occasion.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
infectiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfekʃəs/
caused by infection or capable of causing infection
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
light-heartedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Sidney had risen to the occasion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading Sidney had risen to the occasion.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading Sidney had risen to the occasion.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He laughed at the idea of anything serious having happened to Christian, and his confidence gradually spread and gained new strength.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sidney had risen to the occasion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Molly, however, was apparently beyond its influence.
look attentively
From this reading A NIGHT WATCH Cheerfulness is, thank goodness, infectious.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading The watchers at the Hall that night made a great show of light-heartedness.
