used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
(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 I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
dispassionatelyadverbUS /dɪˈspæʃənətli/
in an impartially dispassionate manner
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
divisible by two
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
justifyingverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “justify” — show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
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 I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
not any; not one
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
observancesnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvənsɪz/
plural of “observance” — the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
pietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
promptsnounUS /prɑːmpts/
plural of “prompt” — a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
self-interestnounUS /ˈselˈfɪntrəst/
taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
semblancenounUS /ˈsembləns/
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Since I am justifying my outward semblance of piety, I have some other less noble and more practical reasons.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
unquestioninglyadverb
in an unquestioning manner
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/
an old word for “to”
From this reading I am waiting that it may be given unto me; that my soul may believe unquestioningly, even as it believed in childhood.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading I keep religious observances for the simple reason that I long to believe, and since the sweet teaching of my childhood tells me that faith is a gift of grace, I am waiting for that grace.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Those are my motives; no self-interest prompts me; it would be much easier to be a cheerful, contented animal.
produce a literary work
From this reading I cannot write coldly or dispassionately about all this.
