used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
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 More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
certaintiesnounUS /ˈsɜːrtəntiz/
plural of “certainty” — the state of being certain
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
conflictsnounUS /kənˈflɪkts/
plural of “conflict” — an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
dimmedadjectiveUS /dɪmd/
made dim or less bright
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
eagerly-anticipated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
a state of high honor
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
go away from a place
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
reviewedverbUS /riˈvjuːd/
past form of “review” — look at again; examine again
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
risksnounUS /rɪsks/
plural of “risk” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
in a serious manner
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading This great misfortune sadly dimmed the glory of his eagerly-anticipated political triumph.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
tumultnounUS /ˈtuːməlt/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading More and more seriously he questioned whether the absorption of his faculties in the keen conflicts of the hour was the best way to serve the true interests of his country.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
at the time that
From this reading When the tumult of grief subsided, he reviewed the events of his life, and weighed them in a balance.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading More and more, he doubted whether it were wise to leave the slow certainties of his profession, for chances which had in them the excitement and the risks of gambling.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is uncertain how the balance would have turned, had he not received an appointment to office under the new government.
