used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
amenableadjectiveUS /əˈmenəbəl/
disposed or willing to conform
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
a youthful male person
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
buttoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
constructivelyadverbUS /kənˈstrʌktɪvli/
in a constructive manner
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
corruptionnounUS /kərˈʌpʃən/
lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading And time was flowing dangerously on.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
dismayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪd/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
Ernest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
divisible by two
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading And time was flowing dangerously on.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
hilariousadjectiveUS /hɪˈleriəs/
marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
jumpingnounUS /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ/
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only a sudden theory of self-activity saved me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And time was flowing dangerously on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
and nothing more
From this reading Only a sudden theory of self-activity saved me.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
be shown or be found to be
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
reconstructverbUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/
reassemble mentally
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
resistingverbUS /rɪˈzɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “resist” — elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Only a sudden theory of self-activity saved me.
only a very short time before
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
self-activity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a sudden theory of self-activity saved me.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Only a sudden theory of self-activity saved me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Only a sudden theory of self-activity saved me.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And time was flowing dangerously on.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
Unbuttoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unbuttoning a sleepy and scarcely resisting little boy in the evening was quite different from constructively buttoning a jumping and hilarious one in the morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
in or at the place that
From this reading Even if Ernest should prove amenable to reason or corruption, where was my ability to reconstruct him?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was another consideration which dismayed me.
