used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a time dreams and realities intermingled.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
cloudedadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdɪd/
made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
curtainedadjective
furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
the first light of day
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading For a time dreams and realities intermingled.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
eyelidsnounUS /ˈaɪlɪdz/
plural of “eyelid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a time dreams and realities intermingled.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
Grey'snounUS /ɡreɪz/
possessive form of “grey” — United States writer of western adventure novels (1875-1939)
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
inertadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɜːrt/
unable to move or resist motion
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
intermingledverbUS /ˌɪntərˈmɪŋɡəld/
past form of “intermingle” — combine into one
From this reading For a time dreams and realities intermingled.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
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 lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
numbadjectiveUS /nʌm/
lacking sensation
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
obtruded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
partialadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrʃəl/
being or affecting only a part; not total
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
pillow-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
realitiesnounUS /ˌriːˈælətiːz/
plural of “reality” — all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading For a time dreams and realities intermingled.
sensibilitiesnounUS /ˌsensɪˈbɪlɪtiz/
plural of “sensibility” — mental responsiveness and awareness
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
not in physical motion
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Later he realised that he was in a curtained bed and that the blue was the colour of the draperies.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a time dreams and realities intermingled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Grey’s awakening was as gradual as a clouded dawn.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then slowly a partial consciousness of his physical being obtruded: his fingers were clutching a silken coverlet; he turned on his side and the linen pillow-case was cool to his cheek; through half-open eyelids a sweep of pale blue became visible.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He lay still for a long while--drowsy, inert, his sensibilities numb.
