used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
in the past
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
brown-bearded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
at any time
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
a man of refinement
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
IllinoisnounUS /ˌɪləˈnɔɪ/
a midwestern state in north-central United States
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
the literary culture
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
Master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was much younger than Old Master.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
something you have to do
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
many times at short intervals
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
on the contrary
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
strikinglyadverbUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋli/
in a striking manner
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was much younger than Old Master.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
in or at that place or location
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading One morning at breakfast there came an unexpected interruption, the arrival of Old Master's half brother.
unrealitynounUS /ˌʌnriˈæləti/
the quality possessed by something that is unreal
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading But in came the man that morning at breakfast, strikingly real, brown-bearded, tall, loud of voice, and I thought rather roughly dressed for a gentleman.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
which person or people
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading I knew that he existed, for on occasions at least a year apart, I had posted letters addressed to him and directed to some town away off in Illinois; but a sense of his unreality was so strong with me that I often smiled to think that Old Master would send a letter to find a shadow.
a late time of life
From this reading Some one, I don't know who, had told me that years ago he had wandered away in consequence of a disappointment in love, though to look at him now I could not believe that he had ever given entertainment to so tender a sentiment.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading He was much younger than Old Master.
