used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
placed in a grave
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
Catherine'snounUS /ˈkæθrɪnz/
possessive form of “catherine” — first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
CONSUMMATIONnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈmeɪʃən/
the completion of marriage by sexual intercourse
From this reading THE CONSUMMATION OF THE CRIME.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading THE CONSUMMATION OF THE CRIME.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
let fall to the ground
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
a movement into or inward
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
not any; not one
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
obscuredverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrd/
past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CONSUMMATION OF THE CRIME.
and nothing more
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
raynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
with low volume
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CONSUMMATION OF THE CRIME.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
ValenounUS /veɪl/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would drop it with a sigh of regret.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The clouds of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning veil.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The heat, for the season of the year, was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried in deep slumber, for the hour was late.
