used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wondered how you simulated a spontaneous impulse.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
(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 But Maisie made it all right for him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Maisie made it all right for him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But Maisie made it all right for him.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered how you simulated a spontaneous impulse.
an instinctive motive
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
set down according to a plan
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But Maisie made it all right for him.
Maisie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Maisie made it all right for him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
on one occasion
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But Maisie made it all right for him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
simulatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmjəleɪtɪd/
not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article
From this reading He wondered how you simulated a spontaneous impulse.
spontaneousadjectiveUS /spɑːnˈteɪniəs/
happening or arising without apparent external cause
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
carry out
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And now, as they looked at him, he felt that he ought to take her in his arms, suddenly, at once.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading As he stood waiting for his impulse she came to him and laid her hands on his shoulders and kissed him, gently, on each cheek.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He wondered how you simulated a spontaneous impulse.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In another instant it would be too late, the action would have lost the grace of spontaneous impulse.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He wondered how you simulated a spontaneous impulse.
