used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
highly skilled
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
advancesnounUS /ədˈvænsəz/
plural of “advance” — a movement forward
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
(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 All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
cognizancenounUS /ˈkɑːɡnəzəns/
having knowledge of
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
Colin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
divisible by two
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
expeditionsnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “expedition” — a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
in a gradual manner
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
heart-breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
maladynounUS /ˈmælədi/
any unwholesome or desperate condition
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
Meredith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
remorselessadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɔːrsləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
carry out
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After this Meredith’s malady made gradual but rapid progress.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
a just detectable amount
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He ceased to move about; he ceased to go out; finally he ceased to get up from his bed.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
precisely as stated
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
at the time that
From this reading When Colin and his friend returned from Rome in the evenings, after their expeditions there, they thought they could see a difference in his looks even from the morning.
which person or people
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All these changes were accomplished very gradually, with a heart-breaking regularity of succession.
but in spite of that
From this reading Alice, who was constantly engaged about him, doing every kind of office for him, was fortunately too much occupied to take full cognizance of that remorseless progress of decay; but the two friends, who watched it with eyes less urgent than those of love, yet almost more painfully pitiful, could trace all the little advances of the malady.
