used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
in addition
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
an occurrence of something
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
without doubt or question
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
characterized by great determination
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
exceptionaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəl/
far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading There were painful features.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
IMAGESnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
and nothing more
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading There were painful features.
an amount of time
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
provisionaladjectiveUS /prəˈvɪʒənəl/
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
Sibylla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were painful features.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
nonexistent
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were painful features.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
