used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
equally
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
(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 THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
in addition
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
COILnounUS /kɔɪl/
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/
bring under control by force or authority
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
demureadjectiveUS /dɪˈmjʊr/
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
destructiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
causing destruction or much damage
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
at any time
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
frailtynounUS /ˈfreɪlti/
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
a young female
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
Haney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
Humiston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
JeromenounUS /dʒərˈoʊm/
(Roman Catholic Church) one of the great Fathers of the early Christian Church whose major work was his translation of the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin (which became the Vulgate); a saint and Doctor of the Church (347-420)
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
kittennounUS /ˈkɪtən/
young domestic cat
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
libertinenounUS /ˈlɪbərtiːn/
a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
LoftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
joined in matrimony
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
not any; not one
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
noveltynounUS /ˈnɑːvəlti/
originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
an amount of time
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
piquedverbUS /piːkt/
past form of “pique” — cause to feel resentment or indignation
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
poeticadjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪk/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Her air of demure reserve piqued him--pleased him.
done under pressure
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
satanicadjectiveUS /səˈtænɪk/
extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
SERPENT'SnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənts/
possessive form of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading "She is no silly kitten," he mentally remarked, after their second meeting.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
in or at the place that
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had reached also that period of decay wherein the libertine demands novelty--where struggle is essential, and to conquer easily is to fail of the joy of victory.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE SERPENT'S COIL Lofty as Jerome Humiston talked, and poetic as his face seemed to Bertha Haney, he was at heart infinitely more destructive than any man she had ever known; for he took a satanic delight in proving that all women were alike in their frailty.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading He, too, had rushed to the conclusion that this girl had married an old and broken gambler for his money, and that she was of those to be easily won.
