used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
quickly and without warning
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
in the past
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
(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 What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
allegedadjectiveUS /əˈledʒd/
declared but not proved
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
brought into existence
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
confidedverbUS /kənˈfaɪdɪd/
past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
credulitynounUS /krɪˈduːləti/
tendency to believe readily
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
cripplesnounUS /ˈkrɪpəlz/
plural of “cripple” — someone who is unable to walk normally because of an injury or disability to the legs or back
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
DEVELOPMENTSnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
disconcertingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrtɪŋ/
causing an emotional disturbance
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
dispelverbUS /dɪˈspel/
force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
disreputables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
having the place or position changed
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
Heatherbloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
insinuatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪnjuːeɪtɪŋ/
calculated to please or gain favor
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
jestsnounUS /dʒests/
plural of “jest” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
jibesnounUS /dʒaɪbz/
plural of “jibe” — an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
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 He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
maimednounUS /meɪmd/
people who are wounded
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
mendicancynoun
the state of being a beggar or mendicant
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
a form of address for a man
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
on one occasion
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
a human being
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
a future prospect or potential
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
roomfulnounUS /ˈruːmfʊl/
the quantity a room will hold
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading He hated the insinuating suggestion but it insisted on creeping into his brain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was born in the darkness of the hour; he could not dispel it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS That night, as if his rest were not already sufficiently disturbed, a disconcerting possibility occurred abruptly to Mr. Heatherbloom.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
which person or people
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What if the person in whom he had confided in the park were not all she seemed?
but in spite of that
From this reading He had once, not so long ago, in his search for cheap lodgings, stumbled upon a roomful of alleged cripples and maimed disreputables who made mendicancy a profession; their jibes and jests on the credulity of the public yet rang in his ears.
