used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
absolutionnounUS /ˌæbsəˈluːʃən/
the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of penance
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
a cherished desire
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
on or to one side
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
assailverbUS /əˈseɪl/
attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
coursesnounUS /ˈkɔːrsəz/
plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
one or the other of two
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
eloquentlyadverbUS /ˈeləkwəntli/
with eloquence
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
entreatiesnounUS /enˈtriːtiz/
plural of “entreaty” — earnest or urgent request
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had done neither.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
intense and profound fear
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
the force of workers available
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He had done neither.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
oblivionnounUS /əˈblɪviən/
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
on one occasion
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
palliateverb
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
accept an excuse for
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
by chance
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
Identical; not different.
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
cut with a saw
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
try to get or reach
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
softenverbUS /ˈsɑːfən/
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
sootheverbUS /suːð/
give moral or emotional strength to
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
not in physical motion
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
carry out
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Once she, having occasion to go to the room which had been set aside for the boys' studies, saw the old professor absorbed in the perusal of a letter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading As, once before, his silence had told her of his passion more eloquently than speech could have done, so now the same silence tended to soften her wrath, to soothe her horror.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading She had expected him to take one of two courses: either to assail her with written entreaties for pardon, and ceaseless efforts to palliate his crime in her sight, or to go out into the world of men to seek oblivion in pleasure, and perhaps absolution in ambition.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Another year passed by, and of him she still heard nothing.
