used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
beaconnounUS /ˈbiːkən/
a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
blottedverbUS /ˈblɑːtəd/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
intense and profound fear
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
inaccessibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsesəbəl/
capable of being reached only with great difficulty or not at all
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
infamousadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfəməs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
and nothing more
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
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 His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading “Nan!
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
PARLEYnounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
quagmirenounUS /ˈkwæɡmaɪər/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading He staggered forward, and fell on his knees before her.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
possessing sweep
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
Sylvester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Just now, however, the consciousness of his own infamous position blotted out all other thought.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
precisely as stated
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
vileadjectiveUS /vaɪl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
a Caucasian
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
belonging to which person
From this reading His soul might have been swept by pain and anger to find Nancy Sylvester, whom his imagination had placed high and inaccessible as the very stars, whose memory had acted as a beacon to him, casting a pure white light to guide him through the quagmire of many a vile temptation, reduced to this state of--as he judged it--evil splendour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE PARLEY At any other time and in any other place this meeting must have filled him with horror of a different kind.
