used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
abridgmentnoun
a shortened version of a written work
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
almost-married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
any thing at all
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
crassly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
dejectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈdʒektɪd/
affected or marked by low spirits
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
discouragedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
divertverbUS /daɪˈvɜːrt/
turn aside; turn away from
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
ferocitynounUS /fərˈɑːsəti/
the property of being wild or turbulent
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
growlingnounUS /ˈɡroʊlɪŋ/
a gruff or angry utterance (suggestive of the growling of an animal)
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
HAYSTACKnounUS /ˈheɪstæk/
a stack of hay
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
ignoredadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːrd/
disregarded
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
ill-success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
impersonationnounUS /ˌɪmpərsəˈneɪʃən/
a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
inanitionnoun
weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
jealousynounUS /ˈdʒeləsi/
a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
NEEDLEnounUS /ˈniːdəl/
the leaf of a conifer
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
paralysisnounUS /pərˈæləsəs/
loss of the ability to move a body part
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
porter'snounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
possessive form of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
Snoozleums's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
trancenounUS /træns/
a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
at the time that
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
