used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
exhale hard
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
chiselled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
intentionally conceived
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
set up or found
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
hammer'snounUS /ˈhæmərz/
possessive form of “hammer” — the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
a message received and understood
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
jestsnounUS /dʒests/
plural of “jest” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
laborsnounUS /ˈleɪbərz/
plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
lapsedadjectiveUS /læpst/
no longer active or practicing
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
the force of workers available
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
not any; not one
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
obstructingverbUS /əbˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “obstruct” — hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
planedverbUS /pleɪnd/
past form of “plane” — cut or remove with or as if with a plane
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
sawedverbUS /sɔːd/
past form of “saw” — cut with a saw
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
do one's shopping
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
arousing affect
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
ventnounUS /vent/
a hole for the escape of gas or air
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
vouchsafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
accept gladly
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
in or at the place that
From this reading SHADOWS In the meantime the two men resumed their labors in the shop, touching shoulders before the bench where their tools lay.
Willie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At first the old inventor tried to bridge this gulf with trivial jests, but as these passed unnoticed he at length lapsed into silence.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They planed and chiselled and sawed together as before, but as they worked each was conscious that a barrier of sudden reserve had sprung up between them, obstructing the perfect confidence that had previously existed.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Nevertheless, as the younger man vouchsafed no information regarding the morning's adventure, Willie asked no questions.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading Now and then, as he stole a look at his companion, he thought he detected in the youthful face a suppressed nervousness and irritation that found welcome vent in the hammer's vigorous blow.
