used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
Alan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
Alan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
childlikeadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/
befitting a young child
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
clappedverbUS /klæpt/
inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading "COURAGE!"
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
elasticitynounUS /ˌiːlæˈstɪsəti/
the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
freshnessnounUS /ˈfreʃnəs/
the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
Lettice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
information about recent and important events
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
phasenounUS /feɪz/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
poeticadjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪk/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
pursuitsnounUS /pərˈsuːts/
plural of “pursuit” — the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
reawakeningverbUS /ˌriːəˈweɪkənɪŋ/
-ing form of “reawaken” — awaken once again
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
recurredverbUS /riˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “recur” — happen or occur again
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
in the near future
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
make steady
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had seized on a dramatic theme suggested in one of the books which Lettice had been reading, and a few days later admitted to her that he was at work on a poetic drama.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Much of his former freshness and elasticity returned; ideas and forms of expression recurred to him without trouble.
the words that are spoken
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The reawakening of Alan's mind to old tastes and old pursuits, though fitful in the first instance, soon developed into a steady appetite for work.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading She clapped her hands in almost childlike glee at the news, and Alan, without much need for pressing, read to her a whole scene which had passed from the phase of thought into written words.
