used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
true confidential information
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
drabadjectiveUS /dræb/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
the act of departing
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
gravestadjectiveUS /ˈɡrævəst/
superlative of “grave” — dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
helplessnessnounUS /ˈhelpləsnəs/
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
Hoag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
impendingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpendɪŋ/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
a single distinct event
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
the sound of laughing
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
prowessnounUS /ˈpraʊəs/
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
reekingadjectiveUS /ˈriːkɪŋ/
wet with secreted or exuded moisture such as sweat or tears
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He saw them smile, heard them laugh, and noted their interest in the smallest details.
a special situation
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading |IN the few days immediately following this incident Hoag became convinced that he had reached the gravest crisis of his career.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the first time in his experience his helplessness was as real a thing as had been his prowess in the past.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
which person or people
From this reading He looked in stunned amazement at the people who were going on with their daily duties as if nothing serious had happened or was impending.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A drab veil reeking with despair seemed to hang between him and every visible object.
