used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
(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 And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
for the reason that
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
next to; at the side of
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
a young person of either sex
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
Christian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
without stop or interruption
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
emptily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
enviedverbUS /ˈenvid/
inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
enviousadjectiveUS /ˈenviəs/
showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
and nothing more
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
a particular point in time
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
pavingnounUS /ˈpeɪvɪŋ/
material used to pave an area
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She couldn’t explain just how it had come over her--that insane yearning after a child, after something of flesh and blood that she might love.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
carry out
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She stared down emptily for a moment; then she shut her eyes and continued.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There had been an evening on which she had felt so desolate and deserted that she had envied each paving stone because it lay beside another.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Just as that day in Christian’s room she had turned his behaviour into an envious experiment and test, and had wondered in suspense how he would take and withstand the utter misery of Michael; so, on that other day, she had put her own life to the test, and had made everything dependent on whether she would have a child or not.
yearningnounUS /ˈjɜːrnɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading And so she had suddenly, with all the strength of all the yearning in her, wished for a child.
