Chapter XXXV

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

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

later than; following

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

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

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

make calm or still

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

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

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

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

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

all things; all of a situation

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

showing inappropriate levity

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

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

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

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

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

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

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

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

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

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

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

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

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

for more time

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

not any; not one

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

more desirable than another

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

past form of “revert” — go back to a previous state

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

estrangement from god

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

affording physical relief

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

not in physical motion

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

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

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

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

From this reading The old man often reverted to that conversation:

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He was sorry now that he had told his father so much, seeing how shocked the old man was.

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

From this reading No, Van der Welcke could never have imagined it!

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

at the time that

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

the words that are spoken

From this reading And, though he tried to find soothing words, in order to calm his father after that shock, still everything that he said sounded too cynical, too modern, too flippant almost; and he no longer answered, but preferred to avoid the subject, when the old man returned to it daily, shaking his head and making his comments.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Henri, can you imagine me, your father, speaking to you, when you were thirteen, about a sin, a crime I had committed?"