used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
airyadjectiveUS /ˈeri/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
Annan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
for the reason that
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
buddingnounUS /ˈbʌdɪŋ/
reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, they had stimulated it.
creativeadjectiveUS /kriˈeɪtɪv/
having the ability or power to create
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
developverbUS /dɪˈveləp/
make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
differentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪfrəntli/
in another and different manner
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
disinclinationnounUS /dɪsɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
that toward which you are inclined to feel dislike
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
disquietingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
causing mental discomfort
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
enlightenmentnounUS /ˌenˈlaɪtənmənt/
education that results in understanding and the spread of knowledge
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
episodesnounUS /ˈepəsoʊdz/
plural of “episode” — a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
Erisnoun
(Greek mythology) goddess of discord; sister of Ares
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
divisible by two
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
apart from; not including
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
germnounUS /dʒɜːrm/
anything that provides inspiration for later work
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
a young female
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
initiativenounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
readiness to embark on bold new ventures
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
interferedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/
past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
interludesnounUS /ˈɪntərluːdz/
plural of “interlude” — an intervening period or episode
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, they had stimulated it.
latentadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtənt/
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
not any; not one
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
not divisible by two
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, they had stimulated it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
onusnounUS /ˈoʊnəs/
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
quickeningnounUS /ˈkwɪkənɪŋ/
the process of showing signs of life
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
receptiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈseptɪv/
open to arguments, ideas, or change
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
the act of searching for something
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
stimulatedadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪd/
emotionally aroused
From this reading On the contrary, they had stimulated it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
express a supposition
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
symptomnounUS /ˈsɪmptəm/
(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
terminateverbUS /ˈtɜːrməneɪt/
bring to an end or halt
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the contrary, they had stimulated it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the contrary, they had stimulated it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Always he had taken such incidents gaily; always he remained receptive, not seeking; the onus of initiative equally shared; the normal end a mutual enlightenment, not too tragic, and with the germ of future laughter always latent, even quickening under tears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Except for one disquieting symptom, Annan had no reason to suppose that his budding affair with Eris was to develop and terminate differently from other agreeable interludes in his airy career.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading That symptom was a new one--an odd disinclination to work because his mind was preoccupied with a girl.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading No other tender episodes in this young man’s career had interfered with his creative ability.
