used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
a cherished desire
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
attainedadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnd/
achieved or reached
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
DRIFTINGnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Harry Venniker was the first to enjoy it.
Eversley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Both for a moment shone pre-eminently in the eyes of their schoolfellows.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Harry Venniker was the first to enjoy it.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Both for a moment shone pre-eminently in the eyes of their schoolfellows.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
a particular point in time
From this reading Both for a moment shone pre-eminently in the eyes of their schoolfellows.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
pre-eminentlyadverb
to a preeminent degree; with superiority or distinction above others; in a preeminent manner
From this reading Both for a moment shone pre-eminently in the eyes of their schoolfellows.
unusual or striking
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
schoolfellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both for a moment shone pre-eminently in the eyes of their schoolfellows.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Both for a moment shone pre-eminently in the eyes of their schoolfellows.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
Venniker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It need not be said that such distinction appeared more natural to Harry Venniker than to Gerald Eversley; but to both it was exquisitely delightful.
Venniker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Both, though in different ways, attained the summit of their ambition.
belonging to which person
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading DRIFTING APART The year following Harry Venniker’s illness was a year remarkable in the life of each of the two friends whose history forms the subject of this narrative.
