used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
anew
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
(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 If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
caringnounUS /ˈkerɪŋ/
a loving feeling
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
CastawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
contemplationnounUS /ˌkɑːntəmˈpleɪʃən/
a long and thoughtful observation
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
disappearsverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrz/
third-person singular of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
highest in quality
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
heartbrokenadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtbroʊkən/
full of sorrow
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
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 "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
a particular point in time
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
of an obscure nature
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
absolutely essential
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
a human being
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
with speed
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
reflectingadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪŋ/
causing reflection or having a device that reflects
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
RipverbUS /rɪp/
tear or be torn violently
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
not known
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
precisely as stated
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "How long we slept I have not the least idea.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
which person or people
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading It may have been a whole day, or it may have been two days.
WinkleverbUS /ˈwɪŋkəl/
emit or reflect light in a flickering manner
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A very Peculiar Person appears and disappears, and the Castaways are filled alternately with Hope and Fear.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading If we woke up at any time, we went to sleep again as quickly as possible, not caring at all to come back any sooner than was necessary to the contemplation of our miserable situation,--never reflecting for a moment that the situation had not been changed in the least by the unknown man who had appeared and disappeared in such a mysterious way.
a late time of life
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was not a twenty years' sleep, (how we wished it was!) like that of Rip Van Winkle, yet it was a very long sleep; and, indeed, neither of us cared how long it lasted, we were so heartbroken about what seemed to be the greatest misfortune that had yet happened to us.
