used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
(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 Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
alterverbUS /ˈɔːltər/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
deepestadjectiveUS /ˈdiːpəst/
superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
dictatesnounUS /dɪkˈteɪts/
plural of “dictate” — an authoritative rule
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
fastnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
forerunnernounUS /ˈfɔːrʌnər/
a person who goes before or announces the coming of another
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
fulfillments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
glorifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːrəfaɪd/
accorded sacrosanct or authoritative standing
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
hold firmly
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
not accessible to view
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
lightestadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəst/
superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
take in marriage
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
a particular point in time
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
an old word for “no”
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
not any; not one
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
rapturenounUS /ˈræptʃər/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
raptures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
richeradjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃər/
comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
Sheila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
Ted'snounUS /tedz/
possessive form of “ted” — a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/
by that means or because of that
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sheila had been married several months before she ceased to expect a miracle.
transmuteverb
change in outward structure or looks
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
precisely as stated
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
be dressed in
From this reading She would wear Ted's ring upon her very soul, and her soul would thereby be changed and glorified.
weddedadjectiveUS /ˈwedɪd/
having been taken in marriage
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
at the time that
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
which person or people
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Other wives--all wives, indeed, who marry at the dictates of their hearts--expect as much.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Marriage, in some way mysterious and beautiful, would surely alter the world for her; nay, more, would transmute her own nature into something stronger, richer, happier, a wedded nature, wedded in its lightest moods, its deepest fastnesses.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She had believed that moment of high rapture when, with Ted's face hidden against her breast, she had seemed to grasp life itself in her ardent young hands, to be but the forerunner of greater moments--of raptures and fulfillments compared to which the first awakening would appear no more than a pale shadow of joy.
