adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Yet, undiscerning as she was, she was puzzled about her daughter's happiness.
actverbUS /ækt/
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
actedverbUS /ˈæktɪd/
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she thought only of how she loved her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
Castledene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
committingverbUS /kəˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “commit” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
daughter'snounUS /ˈdɔːtərz/
possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Yet, undiscerning as she was, she was puzzled about her daughter's happiness.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
destroyingverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
Dornham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
far-seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
foldedverbUS /ˈfoʊldəd/
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
happinessnounUS /ˈhæpinəs/
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Yet, undiscerning as she was, she was puzzled about her daughter's happiness.
happyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she thought only of how she loved her.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
lovedadjectiveUS /lʌvd/
held dear
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
Madaline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading But she thought only of how she loved her.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
parentsnounUS /ˈperənts/
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
puzzledadjectiveUS /ˈpʌzəld/
filled with bewilderment
From this reading Yet, undiscerning as she was, she was puzzled about her daughter's happiness.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
reverienounUS /ˈrevəri/
absentminded dreaming while awake
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
sadadjectiveUS /sæd/
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But she thought only of how she loved her.
understoodadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
undiscerningadjective
lacking discernment
From this reading Yet, undiscerning as she was, she was puzzled about her daughter's happiness.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading She would have known that in taking little Madaline from Castledene she was destroying her last chance of ever being owned or claimed by her parents; she would have understood that, although she loved the child very dearly, she was committing a most cruel act.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If she was really so happy, why did she spend long hours in reverie--why sit with folded hands, looking with such sad eyes at the passing clouds?
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Margaret Dornham was neither a clever nor a far-seeing woman; had she been either, she would never have acted as she did.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, undiscerning as she was, she was puzzled about her daughter's happiness.
