used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
the state of being absent
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
(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 He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
react verbally
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
arterynounUS /ˈɑːrtəri/
a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
blood-letting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
bloodshotadjective
(of an eye) reddened as a result of locally congested blood vessels; inflamed
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
Cavillac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
being joined in close association
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
dietnounUS /ˈdaɪət/
a prescribed selection of foods
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
the state or fact of existing
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
the organ of sight
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
opinion or judgment
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
incoherentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
without logical or meaningful connection
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
engage in
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
and nothing more
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
pulsenounUS /pʌls/
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
except for; apart from
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
communicated in words
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
vehementadjectiveUS /ˈviːəmənt/
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
From this reading He seemed to make vehement efforts to recover the power of reason and thought; but it was all in vain.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
wakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
migratory
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His speech was incoherent, his eye vague and wandering.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
at the time that
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading About nine o'clock in the evening the invalid wakened to a consciousness of existence; but how wild and strange a consciousness!
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Perfect silence, absence of light, with diet and blood-letting," said the doctor,--"those are the only means to save him.
the words that are spoken
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If in answer to a question he uttered a few connected words, the next instant all was confused and senseless in the attempt at a sentence; and, when Dr. Cavillac visited him at half-past ten, his pulse was beating as if it would have burst the artery, and his eyes were bloodshot and wild.
