used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A HAPPY REUNION.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
behestnounUS /bɪˈhest/
an authoritative command or request
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
benumbedadjective
lacking sensation
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
bereftadjectiveUS /bərˈeft/
unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited love
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
placed in a grave
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
crushingadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌʃɪŋ/
physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
dazedadjectiveUS /deɪzd/
in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
goalnounUS /ɡoʊl/
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading A HAPPY REUNION.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
Helen'snounUS /ˈhelɪnz/
possessive form of “helen” — (Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
and nothing more
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
laboredadjectiveUS /ˈleɪbərd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
a room where books are kept
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading His aim was to redeem his wasted life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
ObeyingverbUS /oʊˈbeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
redeemverbUS /rɪˈdiːm/
save from sins
From this reading His aim was to redeem his wasted life.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
REUNIONnounUS /riˈuːnjən/
a party of former associates who have come together again
From this reading A HAPPY REUNION.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
in or at that place or location
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His aim was to redeem his wasted life.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His aim was to redeem his wasted life.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading His aim was to redeem his wasted life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What of the man sitting alone there in Helen's library during the interview between Dorothy and her mother as just related?
in or at the place that
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Obeying Helen's behest, he had slipped into the room just as Dorothy entered the reception hall, where he had dropped into a chair, and sat, with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands, like one bereft of hope--dazed, almost benumbed by his crushing disappointment in view of Helen's obvious attitude toward him.
a late time of life
From this reading For five long years he had lived and labored for this hour; with one high aim and end--one coveted goal set before him.
