used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
associationsnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
the act of burning something
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
coins made of gold
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
a particular point in time
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
Moubray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
pensiveadjectiveUS /ˈpensɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
a full supply
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
with low volume
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
up to a particular time
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is never a very cheerful moment.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
at the time that
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
in or at the place that
From this reading He was sitting very quietly, looking out at the shaft of red gold in the west where the sun had disappeared, and watching the light as it stole away, each moment a little less, a little less brilliant, till it sank altogether in the gray.
which person or people
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Mr. Moubray was in his study, in the gray of the winter’s afternoon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, the room was warm and pleasant, with plenty of books, and many associations; but it was a pensive moment, too dark for reading, when there is nothing to do but to think.
but in spite of that
From this reading And though a man who has begun to grow old, and who is solitary, may be very happy thinking, yet it is a pensive pleasure.
