used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
ABYSSnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading ON THE BRINK OF AN ABYSS.
anew
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ON THE BRINK OF AN ABYSS.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
Bertha's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
BRINKnounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading ON THE BRINK OF AN ABYSS.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
FlorencenounUS /ˈflɔːrəns/
a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Florence said to herself: "Shall I read the manuscript or shall I not?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE BRINK OF AN ABYSS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE BRINK OF AN ABYSS.
on one occasion
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Florence said to herself: "Shall I read the manuscript or shall I not?
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Florence said to herself: "Shall I read the manuscript or shall I not?
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Florence said to herself: "Shall I read the manuscript or shall I not?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE BRINK OF AN ABYSS.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Having read the letter once, she did not trouble herself to read it again.
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Florence sat for a long time with the manuscript of Bertha's story on her lap.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading It was the sort of letter Bertha always wrote--the letter which meant temptation, the letter which seemed to drag its victim to the edge of an abyss.
