used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
abidingadjectiveUS /əˈbaɪdɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
autocratnounUS /ˈɔːtəkræt/
a cruel and oppressive dictator
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
boundlessadjectiveUS /ˈbaʊndləs/
seemingly boundless in amount, number, degree, or especially extent
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
CaesarnounUS /ˈsiːzər/
conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
deserveverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrv/
be worthy or deserving
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
command with authority
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
divisible by two
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
exactingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/
having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
femalesnounUS /ˈfiːmeɪlz/
plural of “female” — an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
a social unit living together
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
imposedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzd/
set forth authoritatively as obligatory
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
and nothing more
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
Masthlion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
not any; not one
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
outweighedverbUS /aʊˈtweɪd/
past form of “outweigh” — be heavier than
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
potterverbUS /ˈpɑːtər/
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
rootedadjectiveUS /ˈruːtəd/
absolutely still
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
plural of “slave” — a person who is owned by someone
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
solicitudenounUS /səˈlɪsɪtuːd/
a feeling of excessive concern
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
symptomnounUS /ˈsɪmptəm/
(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading He was their self‐imposed autocrat, and it was natural that the gloom of his mind should be reflected on their own, just as the landscape takes its hue from the skies.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
transientnounUS /ˈtrænʒənt/
one who stays for only a short time
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
a shaky motion
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Things were changed in the small household of Masthlion.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The same daily routine proceeded, but it was carried on under the depressing shadow of a cloud which darkened the brow of the potter.
which person or people
From this reading He was no more than human, and transient shadows had been there before; but, in the memory of the two females who shared his home, never such an unwelcome symptom of abiding care as that which now haunted their eyes.
but in spite of that
From this reading Their sleepless solicitude, rooted in tender love, outweighed even the fear‐quickened service of the trembling slaves of Caesar; and never was man less exacting in his demands upon such a boundless store of devotion to his needs, or yet more innocent of direct effort or intention to deserve it.
