adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
awaitverbUS /əˈweɪt/
look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
brainnounUS /breɪn/
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
briefadjectiveUS /briːf/
of short duration or distance
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Without a second’s hesitation; he decided on the latter course.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading Without a second’s hesitation; he decided on the latter course.
decisionnounUS /dɪˈsɪʒən/
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
Desmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
developmentsnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
GUESTnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Without a second’s hesitation; he decided on the latter course.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Without a second’s hesitation; he decided on the latter course.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
overpoweringadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈpaʊrɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
positionnounUS /pəˈzɪʃən/
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
respitenounUS /ˈrespɪt/
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
second'snounUS /ˈsekəndz/
possessive form of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Without a second’s hesitation; he decided on the latter course.
Shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
stayverbUS /steɪ/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
UNINVITEDadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈvaɪtɪd/
(of a thought or act) unwelcome or involuntary
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE UNINVITED GUEST There are moments in life when the need for prompt action is so urgent that thought, decision and action must be as one operation of the brain.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Should he make a dash for it or stay where he was and await developments?
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the general consternation following on the dramatic appearance of this uninvited guest, Desmond had a brief respite in which to think over his position.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the overpowering odds against him it was more than doubtful whether he could ever reach the library door.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without a second’s hesitation; he decided on the latter course.
