used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
(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 To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
any thing at all
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
autobiographynounUS /ˌɔːtəbaɪˈɑːɡrəfi/
a biography of yourself
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
Crabbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
definitionnounUS /ˌdefəˈnɪʃən/
a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/
move away from a place into another direction
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
descriptionsnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
descriptiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈskrɪptɪv/
serving to describe or inform or characterized by description
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
emanating from God
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
DodgeverbUS /dɑːdʒ/
make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
earthlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθli/
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
effulgencenoun
the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
give expression to
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
communicated in words
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
and nothing more
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
go away from a place
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
LilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
Lily'snounUS /ˈlɪliːz/
possessive form of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
lover'snounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
possessive form of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
and nothing more
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
in motion
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
OsbornenounUS /ˈɔːzbɔːrn/
English playwright (1929-1994)
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
cut with a saw
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
express in words
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
sincerelyadverbUS /sɪnˈsɪrli/
with sincerity; without pretense
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus, Lily’s word really expressed not Crabbe but her own condition, and that was what shocked her mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
at the time that
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading To Lily herself the word she used was not extravagant at all; it was merely her definition of Crabbe Osborne.
the words that are spoken
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As he went toward the door Lily saw a brightness moving with him, an effulgence that would depart with him and leave but darkness when he had passed the threshold.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet Lily sincerely believed that the word described Crabbe; and, in her opinion, since her lover’s effulgence was divine, this word was natural, moderate, and peculiarly accurate.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading No doubt the true being of young Crabbe was neither as Mrs. Dodge conceived it nor as Lily saw it;—no earthly intellect could have defined just what he was: nor, for that matter, can any earthly intellect say what anything is, since all of our descriptive words express nothing more than how the things appear to ourselves; and our descriptions, therefore, are all but bits of autobiography.
