used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
in the past
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
(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 She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
any thing at all
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
an occurrence of something
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
Celia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
without doubt or question
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
divisible by two
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
guisenounUS /ɡaɪz/
an artful or simulated semblance
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
illogicaladjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
lacking in correct logical relation
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
immoraladjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmɔːrəl/
deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
licencenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/
excessive freedom; lack of due restraint
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
novelsnounUS /ˈnɑːvəlz/
plural of “novel” — an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
purposefuladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrpəsfəl/
serving as or indicating the existence of a purpose or goal
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
reactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
self-sacrificenoun
acting with less concern for yourself than for the success of the joint activity
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
a special situation
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
having come into contact
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
tragicaladjective
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
upheldverbUS /əpˈheld/
inflected form of “uphold” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
precisely as stated
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was difficult to realize that the thing was real; it was the first time in her life that anything dramatic, tragical, had touched her.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading She had been upheld during the scene by the excitement and the strain; she had been strong and purposeful a few minutes ago; but now the reaction had set in and she felt weak and exhausted.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Celia went back to her room and sank into a chair.
at the time that
From this reading When she was able to think clearly, one or two points in the affair stood out from the rest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
but in spite of that
From this reading She had read of such incidents in novels, and even then, presented in the guise of fiction, with all its licence, such a self-sacrifice, so absolutely illogical and immoral, had seemed incredible to her; and yet here was a case, under her very eyes.
