used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
a cherished desire
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
apprenticenounUS /əˈprentəs/
works for an expert to learn a trade
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
blindedadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪd/
deprived of sight
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
bookcasenounUS /ˈbʊkkeɪs/
a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
Clarisse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
distractedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstræktəd/
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
ENGLISHMANnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
death of a person
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
importnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrt/
commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
and nothing more
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
kindledadjectiveUS /ˈkɪndəld/
set afire
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
a person who carries a message
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
a particular point in time
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
not any; not one
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
outcastnounUS /ˈaʊtkæst/
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
revealverbUS /rɪˈviːl/
make visible
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
RousseaunounUS /ruːˈsoʊ/
French philosopher and writer born in Switzerland; believed that the natural goodness of man was warped by society; ideas influenced the French Revolution (1712-1778)
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
a male human offspring
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
sparknounUS /spɑːrk/
a momentary flash of light
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading They kindled no spark in the dead embers of his conscience to reveal the truth.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
a message informing of danger
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
which person or people
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The outcast child, now grown to manhood, had been within touch of his own father, but unseen by him.
the words that are spoken
From this reading THE ENGLISHMAN These words of Rousseau read before the open bookcase, suggestive as they were of voices from the past still echoing through his memory, had no meaning for him.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet it was a warning from heaven--a moment of grave and vital import in the life of this man, who, had he not been blinded by an insane ambition, might have recognised in the passing stranger a messenger of Fate.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For the voice which had distracted him from his work was the voice of Clarisse, and the young apprentice who had just left him was his son.
