used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
cravedadjectiveUS /kreɪvd/
wanted intensely
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
dreamlikeadjectiveUS /ˈdriːmlaɪk/
resembling a dream
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
divisible by two
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
griefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
lighternounUS /ˈlaɪtər/
a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
without good reason
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
and nothing more
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
parriedverbUS /ˈperid/
inflected form of “parry” — impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
express the need or desire for
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
self-containedadjectiveUS /ˈselfkənˈteɪnd/
constituting a complete and independent unit in and of itself
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had never known--or if so it was only in a dim and dreamlike past--the tender, brooding care that was her conception of a mother's love.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was in her nature a childish strain that craved sympathy and comforting.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
precisely as stated
From this reading Such a request, coming from a comparative stranger, might very properly have been resented or lightly parried.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
at the time that
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her griefs seemed lighter when they were shared with others, even in spirit.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But Clara was not what would be called self-contained.
