used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All that had happened before his death seemed real and vital to her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
aloofadjectiveUS /əˈluːf/
remote in manner
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
bodilyadverbUS /ˈbɑːdəli/
in bodily form
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
BombaynounUS /bɑːmˈbeɪ/
a city in western India just off the coast of the Arabian Sea; India's 2nd largest city (after Calcutta); has the only natural deep-water harbor in western India
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
comrade-father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading All that had happened before his death seemed real and vital to her.
detachedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃt/
showing lack of emotional involvement
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
ebbverbUS /eb/
flow back or recede
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
FaynounUS /feɪ/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
girlhoodnounUS /ˈɡɜːrlhʊd/
the childhood of a girl
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
death of a person
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading All that had happened before his death seemed real and vital to her.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All that had happened before his death seemed real and vital to her.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
intensifyverbUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪ/
increase in extent or intensity
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
irrelevantadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreləvənt/
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
JannounUS /dʒæn/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
lack-lustre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
lessenedadjectiveUS /ˈlesənd/
impaired by diminution
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
lovableadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvəbəl/
having characteristics that attract love or affection
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
not any; not one
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
on one occasion
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
and nothing more
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
on the contrary
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading All that had happened before his death seemed real and vital to her.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
in the near future
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
carry out
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
visiblyadverbUS /ˈvɪzəbli/
in a visible manner
From this reading Rather did it increase and intensify, for not only did her bodily strength seem to ebb from her almost visibly day by day, but her mind seemed so detached and aloof from both present and future.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading All that had happened before his death seemed real and vital to her.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE SHADOW BEFORE Jan had been a week in Bombay, and her grave anxiety about Fay was in no way lessened.
at the time that
From this reading It was only when Jan talked about the past, about their happy girlhood and their lovable comrade-father, that Fay seemed to take hold and understand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But when Jan tried to interest her in plans for the future, the voyage home, the children, the baby that was due so soon, Fay looked at her with tired, lack-lustre eyes and seemed at once to become absent-minded and irrelevant.
