used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
bondagenounUS /ˈbɑːndɪdʒ/
the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
breaking-point
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
composurenounUS /kəmˈpoʊʒər/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
intentionally conceived
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
creednounUS /kriːd/
any system of principles or beliefs
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
demurverbUS /dɪˈmɜːr/
take exception to
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
ecclesiasticaladjectiveUS /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl/
of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
set up or found
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
impliesverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪz/
third-person singular of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
landladynounUS /ˈlændleɪdi/
a landlord who is a woman
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
not any; not one
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
PHILOSOPHYnounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
select carefully from a group
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
pridedverbUS /ˈpraɪdɪd/
past form of “pride” — be proud of
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
on the contrary
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
Rufus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
only a very short time before
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
not in physical motion
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
Tuke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
unbeliever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
precisely as stated
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first time in his life that his philosophy had been put to the test, and the strain brought it near to breaking-point.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He found it easy enough to pick holes in the creed in which he had been reared, and had rather prided himself that he had shaken himself free from what he called the bondage of ecclesiastical superstition.
in the company of; together with
From this reading FAITH AND PHILOSOPHY Rufus watched the rising tide with as much composure as he could command.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading His landlady, Mrs. Tuke, called him an unbeliever, and he accepted the description without demur; but a negative implies a positive.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But there was something that still remained and which he was scarcely conscious of until now--something which he could not very well shape into words; something for which he could find no name.
