accidentaladjectiveUS /ˌæksəˈdentəl/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
artificialitynoun
the quality of being produced by people and not occurring naturally
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
bondnounUS /bɑːnd/
an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
consciousnessnounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
considerverbUS /kənˈsɪdər/
deem to be
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
consideredadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərd/
carefully weighed
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/
without stop or interruption
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
detachedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃt/
showing lack of emotional involvement
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
emotionnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃən/
any strong feeling
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
establishverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
set up or found
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
experiencedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspɪriənst/
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
gazenounUS /ɡeɪz/
a long fixed look
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
giftnounUS /ɡɪft/
something acquired without compensation
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
grotesquenessnoun
ludicrous or incongruous unnaturalness or distortion
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
humournounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/
the sound of laughing
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
mentaladjectiveUS /ˈmentəl/
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
observationnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən/
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
perceivedadjectiveUS /pərˈsiːvd/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
properlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːpərli/
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
queeradjectiveUS /kwɪr/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
refusedverbUS /rəˈfjuːzd/
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
shams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
sprangverbUS /spræŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
utterlyadverbUS /ˈʌtərli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading That gift of laughter of his seemed utterly extinguished.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
visionnounUS /ˈvɪʒən/
a vivid mental image
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With his cruelly true mental vision which pierced through shams, and his capacity for detached observation--which properly applied might have carried him very far, indeed--he perceived the grotesqueness, the artificiality of the emotion which in that moment he experienced, but by which he refused to be possessed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For once there was no gleam of humour in those dark eyes, as they continued to consider her with that queer stare of scrutiny.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It sprang entirely from the consciousness that she was his mother; as if, all things considered, the more or less accidental fact that she had brought him into the world could establish between them any real bond at this time of day!
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet, though his gaze was sombre, his thoughts were not.
