used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
analyseverb
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
a youthful male person
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
cheatedverbUS /ˈtʃiːtəd/
past form of “cheat” — deprive somebody of something by deceit
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
a young person of either sex
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
a female human offspring
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
deathbednounUS /ˈdeθbed/
the last few hours before death
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
yet to be or coming
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
a young female
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
hideouslyadverbUS /ˈhɪdiəsli/
in a hideous manner
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
and nothing more
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
take in marriage
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
noblemannounUS /ˈnoʊbəlmən/
a titled peer of the realm
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
and nothing more
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
paroxysmnoun
a sudden uncontrollable attack
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
having a point
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
only a very short time before
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
teensnounUS /tiːnz/
the time of life between the ages of 12 and 20
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
very small
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
Truro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
Ursula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HAND OF FATE Ursula had had a good cry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was a mere girl, only just out of her teens; she had been hideously disappointed and had given way to a paroxysm of tears, just like a child that has been cheated of its toys.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
WessexnounUS /ˈwesəks/
a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century
From this reading As far as her actual feelings for Wessex were concerned, she scarcely troubled to analyse them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
at the time that
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
which person or people
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
worshippedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrʃəpt/
regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)
From this reading As a tiny child she had worshipped the gallant boy, who had always been pointed out to her as the pattern of what an English nobleman should be, and moreover as the future husband who was to rule over her destiny.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No doubt that the Earl of Truro, lying on his deathbed, had but little real perception of what he was doing, when he forced his daughter to swear that she would marry Wessex or remain single to the end of her days.
