used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
bereavementnounUS /bərˈiːvmənt/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
Caldwell'snounUS /ˈkɔːldwelz/
possessive form of “caldwell” — United States author remembered for novels about poverty and degeneration (1903-1987)
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
grandmother'snounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðərz/
possessive form of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
henceforthadverbUS /ˈhenˈsfɔːrθ/
from this time forth; from now on
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
not any; not one
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
be obedient to
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
ordainedadjectiveUS /ɔːrˈdeɪnd/
fixed or established especially by order or command
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
in other respects or ways
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
a safe place
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
reservesnounUS /rɪˈzɜːrvz/
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
satisfyingadjectiveUS /ˈsætɪsfaɪɪŋ/
providing abundant nourishment
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
Shadyville's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
Sheila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
standardsnounUS /ˈstændərdz/
plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But Sheila herself ordained otherwise, and under the circumstances of her bereavement, Peter could but obey her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Close friends they had always been; and if Sheila was alone in a shared life, so far as her marriage was concerned, she had had a satisfying refuge in her grandmother's sympathetic companionship.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Never had Sheila been so lonely as in the weeks immediately following Mrs. Caldwell's death.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Peter had felt that he could not be much with Sheila henceforth; that neither his own heart nor conventional Shadyville's standards would permit it.
a late time of life
From this reading Whatever reserves of speech had existed between the two in these latter years, there had been no reserve of feeling, of comprehension.
