used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
any person at all
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading THE SOCIAL BOARD.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
rid of obstructions
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
combustiblenoun
a substance that can be burned to provide heat or power
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
COWPERnounUS /ˈkaʊpər/
English surgeon who discovered Cowper's gland (1666-1709)
From this reading COWPER.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
Devereux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
fretfullyadverb
in a fretful manner
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
brought together in one place
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
the force of workers available
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
pronounceverbUS /prəˈnaʊns/
speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
precisely, exactly
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
relating to human society and its members
From this reading THE SOCIAL BOARD.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Miss Devereux had made fretfully sure of an explosion.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SOCIAL BOARD.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
in or at that place or location
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DINNER at The Brow was in full swing before anybody held a match to the combustible elements there gathered.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
in or at the place that
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay; Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride: Without the means of knowing right from wrong, They always are decisive, clear, and strong."
