used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Roger grew angry with the world.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading And Roger grew angry with the world.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
divined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading And Roger grew angry with the world.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
conformity or harmony
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
immediately past
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
RepeatedlyadverbUS /rɪˈpiːtɪdli/
several time
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
in the near future
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
the act of using
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the quiet was dark to Roger now.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
belonging to which person
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why couldn't it let a man alone, an old man in a silent house alive for him with memories?
in the company of; together with
From this reading And Roger grew angry with the world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading And Roger grew angry with the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Each night he spent in his study alone, for instinctively he felt the need of being by himself for a while, of keeping away from his children--out of whose lives he divined that other events would soon come forth to use up the last of the strength that was in him.
a late time of life
From this reading Repeatedly in such hours his mind would go groping backward into the years behind him.
