used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
absorptionnounUS /əbˈzɔːrpʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid
From this reading Yet his absorption in her was not stagnant.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
a cherished desire
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
boyishadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young boy
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
cigarettesnounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈets/
plural of “cigarette” — finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
comradeshipnoun
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
discoveriesnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
disdainsnounUS /dɪsˈdeɪnz/
plural of “disdain” — lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
duelnounUS /ˈduːəl/
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
encouragedadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒd/
inspired with confidence
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
evolvingverbUS /ɪˈvɑːlvɪŋ/
-ing form of “evolve” — work out
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
for a limitless time
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
a young female
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
Gottlieb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet his absorption in her was not stagnant.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
honestlyadverbUS /ˈɑːnəstli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
incubatingverbUS /ˈɪnkjəbeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “incubate” — grow under conditions that promote development
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
Leora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
loyaltynounUS /ˈlɔɪəlti/
the quality of being loyal
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
Martin'snounUS /ˈmɑːrtənz/
possessive form of “martin” — French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
nodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet his absorption in her was not stagnant.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
rousingadjectiveUS /ˈraʊzɪŋ/
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
sexlessadjectiveUS /ˈsekslɪs/
having no or imperfectly developed or nonfunctional sex organs
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
without speaking
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
stagnantadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡnənt/
not circulating or flowing
From this reading Yet his absorption in her was not stagnant.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I The difference between Martin’s relations to Madeline and to Leora was the difference between a rousing duel and a serene comradeship.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From their first evening, Leora and he depended on each other’s loyalty and liking, and certain things in his existence were settled forever.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was always making discoveries about the observations of life which she kept incubating in her secret little head while she made smoke rings with her cigarettes and smiled silently.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading He longed for the girl Leora; she stirred him, and with gay frank passion she answered him; but to another, sexless Leora he talked more honestly than to Gottlieb or his own worried self, while with her boyish nod or an occasional word she encouraged him to confidence in his evolving ambition and disdains.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet his absorption in her was not stagnant.
