adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
afterwardadverbUS /ˈæftərwərd/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
briefadjectiveUS /briːf/
of short duration or distance
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
Clayton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
distinctnessnoun
the quality of being sharp and clear
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
driveverbUS /draɪv/
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
epochnounUS /ˈepək/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
MonthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
Natalie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/
not divisible by two
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
pertainingverbUS /pərˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “pertain” — be relevant to
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
realizedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
repliesnounUS /rɪˈplaɪz/
plural of “reply” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
retrospectnounUS /ˈretrəspekt/
contemplation of things past
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
SummernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
tracenounUS /treɪs/
a just detectable amount
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
understoodadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
ValentinesnounUS /ˈvæləntaɪnz/
plural of “valentine” — a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
