used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
abstractedadjectiveUS /ˈæbstræktɪd/
lost in thought; showing preoccupation
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
chaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yes, he could if he would.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
the act of departing
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Yes, he could if he would.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
MUSEnounUS /mjuːz/
in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
make steady
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
tantalizingadjectiveUS /ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/
arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
tiltedadjectiveUS /ˈtɪltɪd/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading The mood was not there certainly, but then, now the finishing of the book had become a pressing necessity, the mood never was there; it was like a tantalizing butterfly that flitted a second in his face and then led him a desperate chase through a tangle of undergrowth that never ended.
precisely as stated
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
willedverbUS /wɪld/
past form of “will” — decree or ordain
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
WOOINGnounUS /ˈwuːɪŋ/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
the words that are spoken
From this reading WOOING THE MUSE "Five thousand words," muttered Hugh, and then tilted back in the steady chair he had abstracted from the kitchen for the very purpose.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yes, he could if he would.
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, this was going to be one of his good days--he willed it so.
