Chapter XXVII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

anew

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

how long something has existed

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

in the past

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

(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 The climax of all things was at hand.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding

From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

a female human offspring

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

decree or designate beforehand

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

one or the other of two

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

start firing a weapon

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

cut with a saw

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

express a supposition

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

female traitor

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

lacking in value or merit

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

make a vow; promise

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

at the time that

From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.

a late time of life

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.

but in spite of that

From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.