used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
anew
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
in a state of sleep
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading The assurance did not carry conviction.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The assurance did not carry conviction.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading The assurance did not carry conviction.
CopleynounUS /ˈkɑːpli/
American painter who did portraits of Paul Revere and John Hancock before fleeing to England to avoid the American Revolution (1738-1815)
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
crucifixnounUS /ˈkruːsəfɪks/
representation of the cross on which Jesus died
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The assurance did not carry conviction.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
set up or found
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
grottonounUS /ˈɡrɑːtoʊ/
a small cave (usually with attractive features)
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
located inward
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
logicnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪk/
the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
MARCIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
NeapolitannounUS /ˌniːəˈpɑːlətən/
a native or inhabitant of Naples
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
easily agitated
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
not any; not one
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
and nothing more
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
Identical; not different.
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
serenitynounUS /səˈren.ə.t̬i/
The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled by external storms.
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
tattooedverbUS /ˌtæˈtuːd/
past form of “tattoo” — stain (skin) with indelible color
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
trepidationnounUS /ˌtrepɪˈdeɪʃən/
a feeling of alarm or dread
From this reading She said nothing to Mrs. Copley of the man she had found asleep in the grotto, and the effort to preserve an outward serenity added no little to her inner trepidation.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading MARCIA passed the afternoon in a state of nervous impatience for her uncle’s return.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
which person or people
From this reading She assured herself over and over again that the man could not be the same Neapolitan who had warned her uncle; that he was safely in prison; and that the tattooed crucifix was only the general mark of a secret society.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In vain she tried to reason with her fear; it was not a subject which responded to logic.
