used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
athwartadverbUS /əˈθwɔːrt/
at right angles to the center line of a ship
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
a youthful male person
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
drunkenadjectiveUS /ˈdrʌŋkən/
given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
GEORGEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LITTLE GEORGEY LEAVES HIS OLD HOME.
glimmered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
the act of departing
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
grandsonnounUS /ˈɡrændsʌn/
a male grandchild
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LITTLE GEORGEY LEAVES HIS OLD HOME.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading LITTLE GEORGEY LEAVES HIS OLD HOME.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
imbecilitynoun
retardation more severe than a moron but not as severe as an idiot
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
immediately past
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading LITTLE GEORGEY LEAVES HIS OLD HOME.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading LITTLE GEORGEY LEAVES HIS OLD HOME.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
Maldonnoun
a battle in which the Danes defeated the Saxons in 991; celebrated in an old English poem
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
Maldon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading LITTLE GEORGEY LEAVES HIS OLD HOME.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
Plowson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
rum-and-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
screwedverbUS /skruːd/
past form of “screw” — have sexual intercourse with
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
sticking-point
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
strugglesnounUS /ˈstrʌɡəlz/
plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
carry out
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
vaporsnounUS /ˈveɪpərz/
a state of depression
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
precisely as stated
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The old man's drunken imbecility was slowly clearing away like the heavy mists of a London fog, through which the feeble sunshine struggles dimly to appear.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading The very uncertain radiance of Lieutenant Maldon's intellect took a considerable time in piercing the hazy vapors of rum-and-water; but the flickering light at last faintly glimmered athwart the clouds, and the old man screwed his poor wits to the sticking-point.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, yes," he said, feebly; "take the boy away from his poor old grandfather; I always thought so."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I am going to take your grandson away with me, Mr. Maldon," Robert said gravely, as Mrs. Plowson retired with her young charge.
