used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He resumed, with a furrowed brow:
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading He resumed, with a furrowed brow:
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
in a serious manner
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
exertverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrt/
put to use
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
furrowedadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːroʊd/
having long narrow shallow depressions (as grooves or wrinkles) in the surface
From this reading He resumed, with a furrowed brow:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
Julie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes," said Julie.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
held up in the air
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "You ought.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
perfunctoryadjectiveUS /pərˈfʌŋktəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading He resumed, with a furrowed brow:
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes," said Julie.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading But her shrinking, perfunctory manner evidently distressed him.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
required or under orders
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, after another interval, he lifted himself in bed, with more strength than she had supposed he could exert, looked at her earnestly, and asked her, in the same painful whisper, whether she believed in another life.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes," said Julie.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You ought.
