used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
advisedlyadverbUS /ædˈvaɪzədli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading When I say that he rose drunkenly, I use the word advisedly.
affectingadjectiveUS /əˈfektɪŋ/
arousing affect
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
at or in the front
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
breakersnounUS /ˈbreɪkərz/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
drunkenlyadverb
showing effects of much strong drink
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
graspingnounUS /ˈɡræspɪŋ/
understanding with difficulty
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
grimacings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
a message received and understood
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
jerkings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
not any; not one
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
on one occasion
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
peculiaritiesnounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerətiz/
plural of “peculiarity” — an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
cut with a saw
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
express in words
From this reading When I say that he rose drunkenly, I use the word advisedly.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
soul-shaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
twitchings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
the act of using
From this reading When I say that he rose drunkenly, I use the word advisedly.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
VerdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
Wallingford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beyond an irritated consciousness of his usual restless movements, I had no information as to how the soul-shaking incidents of this appalling day were affecting him.
at the time that
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading But when he rose drunkenly and, grasping the back of his chair, rolled his eyes wildly round the Court, I realized that there were breakers ahead.
wildnessnounUS /ˈwaɪldnəs/
a feeling of extreme emotional intensity
From this reading Familiar as I was with his peculiarities—his jerkings, twitchings and grimacings—I saw, at once, that there was something unusual both in his face and in his bearing; a dull wildness of expression and an uncertainty of movement that I had never observed before.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The Verdict I had not been taking much notice of Wallingford, my attention being occupied with the two women when it strayed from the proceedings.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading When I say that he rose drunkenly, I use the word advisedly.
