used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
the state of being absent
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
Avery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
BangsnounUS /bæŋz/
plural of “bang” — a vigorous blow
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
cowardnounUS /ˈkaʊərd/
a person who shows fear or timidity
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
dearly loved
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
enactedverbUS /eˈnæktəd/
past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
exertedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrtɪd/
past form of “exert” — put to use
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
set up or found
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
hystericsnounUS /ˌhɪˈsterɪks/
an attack of hysteria
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
and nothing more
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
engage in
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
mobnounUS /mɑːb/
a disorderly crowd of people
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
a form of address for a man
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
Prairieville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
reasonablyadverbUS /ˈriːzənəbli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
reproaches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
except for; apart from
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
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 He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading He shrank from the task of telling her the story of the dreadful scenes enacted in Prairieville during her absence, but the tidings had preceded him, and he found her lying on a couch in strong hysterics.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
make an effort or attempt
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
in or at the place that
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
which person or people
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
Wiley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after the death of Bangs, Mr. Wiley went for his wife, who was visiting acquaintances a day’s journey from home.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading She greeted him with bitter reproaches—“Why had he not exerted himself to save poor, dear Avery from the fury of the mob?”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Don’t talk in that way to me!” she cried, in passionate tones; “you didn’t try; you didn’t make the slightest effort; the papers would have said so if you had; you were too great a coward to lift a finger to save him.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I couldn’t,” he said; “you might just as reasonably ask me why I do not prevent the lightning from striking where it will.”
