Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

with bitterness; in a resentful manner

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

determining or having the power to determine an outcome

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

following immediately and as a result of what went before

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

devoid of good sense or judgment

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

of the present time and place

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

suggesting an unhealthy mental state

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

not any; not one

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

fully extended especially in length

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

plural of “reality” — all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading He advanced further into the darkness of the room, slowly, with his hands outstretched before him.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

of or relating to or connected with spiritualism

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He had too much before him, and too short a time in which to do it.

create by training and teaching

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

lacking taste or flavor or tang

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading He could waste no more time, he told himself, in foolish spiritualistic seances with his own shadow.

at the time that

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE GHOSTS OF THOUGHT In the ensuing silence, as the unbroken seconds dragged themselves on, Durkin called himself a fool, and, struggling bitterly with that indeterminate uneasiness which possessed him, pulled himself together for some immediate and decisive action.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading His troubles, when he came to face them, would be realities, and not a train of vapid and morbid self-vaporings.