used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
(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 He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But why go home?"
cleareradjectiveUS /ˈklɪrər/
comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
dissipatingverbUS /ˈdɪsəpeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dissipate” — to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "But why go home?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "But why go home?"
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
a search for knowledge
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
intelligibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəbəl/
capable of being apprehended or understood
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
meaningsnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋz/
plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading OTHER PEOPLE'S SINS.
PEOPLE'SnounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/
possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading OTHER PEOPLE'S SINS.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
SINSnounUS /sɪnz/
plural of “sin” — estrangement from god
From this reading OTHER PEOPLE'S SINS.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
confined on all sides
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Felix stopped as he asked himself this question.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was beginning to read his mother's life in a more intelligible light, and all along the clearer line new meanings were springing into sight.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "But why go home?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading He could not face his mother with any inquiry about the mystery that surrounded his father's memory, that mystery which was slowly dissipating like the mists which vanish imperceptibly from a landscape.
