used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
appealingadjectiveUS /əˈpiːlɪŋ/
able to attract interest or draw favorable attention
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
dependencenounUS /dɪˈpendəns/
the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
faintnessnounUS /ˈfeɪntnəs/
a feeling of faintness and of being ready to swoon
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
set up or found
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
fragileadjectiveUS /ˈfrædʒəl/
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
go away from a place
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
Margaret's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I feel as if one of my heart attacks might be coming on."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
on the contrary
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
realizingverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading His mother shook her head and reached feebly for Margaret's hand.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
solicitouslyadverb
in a concerned and solicitous manner
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
in the near future
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE FEAR OF LIFE Stephen had intended to go back as soon as he had put his mother into the car; but she clung so tightly to his arm, and there was something so appealing in her fragile dependence, that, almost without realizing it, he found that he was sitting in front of her, and that she was taking him down to his office.
Wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wouldn't you rather I went home with you?" he inquired solicitously.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We will leave you and go back, Stephen," she said, while a look of faintness spread over her features.
