used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
consider or hold as true
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
(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 She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
beliefsnounUS /bɪˈliːfs/
plural of “belief” — any cognitive content held as true
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
CATHERINEnounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading CATHERINE KING VISITS MARY.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
creedsnounUS /kriːdz/
plural of “creed” — any system of principles or beliefs
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
travel across or pass over
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
dogmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
key-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading CATHERINE KING VISITS MARY.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading CATHERINE KING VISITS MARY.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
not any; not one
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She could not immediately accept all the beliefs of her new friends.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
on the contrary
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading That was the cross to which she clung, a reality; she knew nothing else for certain, of Gods or creeds.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
a vivid mental image
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
VISITSnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading CATHERINE KING VISITS MARY.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So it was that Mary by degrees began to entertain a half belief in religion, or rather she had come to altogether believe in a religion of her own--a vague religion that had no dogmas, but the key-stone of which was a profound faith in love.
but in spite of that
From this reading They were as yet dark and shifting to her vision.
