used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
afootadverbUS /əˈfʊt/
on foot; walking
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
next to; at the side of
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
DownsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
FinnnounUS /fɪn/
a native or inhabitant of Finland
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
usually; as a rule
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
home-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
an occurrence of something
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
KennelsnounUS /ˈkenəlz/
plural of “kennel” — outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
kinnounUS /kɪn/
a person having kinship with another or others
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
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 He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
Master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
playfuladjectiveUS /ˈpleɪfəl/
full of fun and high spirits
From this reading For instance, the Master seemed generally to be away from the house beside the Downs; and the Mistress of the Kennels seemed always to be busy, and never to be in playful mood.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
precisely, exactly
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
Identical; not different.
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He did not know, of course, that changes had been set afoot during many months before his mother's end came.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
Tara'snounUS /ˈterəz/
possessive form of “tara” — a village in eastern Ireland (northwest of Dublin); seat of Irish kings until 6th century
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
TRANSITIONnounUS /trænˈzɪʃən/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A TRANSITION STAGE To Finn it seemed that life was never the same after the evening of Tara's death.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And in a way he was right; life never was quite the same for him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Active changes, toward which the Master's circumstances had been leading for some time past, began immediately after that strange home-coming which finally separated Finn from his own kin.
