used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
the state of being absent
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
anew
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
a youthful male person
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
comfortedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪd/
made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
grievancesnounUS /ˈɡriːvənsəz/
plural of “grievance” — a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
and nothing more
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
Kathleen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
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 "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
Mountford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
on one occasion
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
with speed
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
Torrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FAST FRIENDS THE friendship between Miss Mountford and Ralph Torrance grew rapidly.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ice once broken was not likely to close again, especially as the boy was feeling his father's continued absence a real trouble.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His grievances were poured into Kathleen's sympathetic ear, and so far as she was able she comforted him.
at the time that
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "If he went for a long time, he always took me, and if for a little while, he came back just when he had promised to do.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You see, father has never stayed away like this before," said Ralph.
