used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
(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 He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
Brenton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He stood now in one of the streets of the city so familiar to him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading He stood now in one of the streets of the city so familiar to him.
Ferris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
harrowingadjectiveUS /ˈheroʊɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
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 William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
not any; not one
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He stood now in one of the streets of the city so familiar to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He stood now in one of the streets of the city so familiar to him.
not in physical motion
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood now in one of the streets of the city so familiar to him.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He stood now in one of the streets of the city so familiar to him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
a special situation
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
precisely as stated
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading However, of one thing there was no doubt--namely, that it was particularly harrowing to see what he had seen in his own house.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading William Brenton pondered long on the situation.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading If it were true that he was dead, he said to himself, was not the plan outlined for him by Ferris very much the wiser course to adopt?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have known better how to act if he could have been perfectly certain that he was not still the victim of a dream.
