adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
abroadadverbUS /əˈbrɔːd/
to or in a foreign country
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
actedverbUS /ˈæktɪd/
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
actingnounUS /ˈæktɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
affectedadjectiveUS /əˈfektɪd/
acted upon; influenced
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
ailingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪlɪŋ/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
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 Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
blottingverbUS /ˈblɑːtɪŋ/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
breathedadjectiveUS /briːðd/
uttered without voice
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
chapternounUS /ˈtʃæptər/
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
colouradjectiveUS /ˈkʌlər/
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
confinementnounUS /kənˈfaɪnmənt/
concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
consciousnessnounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
DanielnounUS /ˈdænjəl/
(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
drizzlenounUS /ˈdrɪzəl/
very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
excitableadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtəbəl/
easily excited
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
fitverbUS /fɪt/
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
graynounUS /ɡreɪ/
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
habitsnounUS /ˈhæbəts/
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
hardshipnounUS /ˈhɑːrdʃɪp/
a state of misfortune or affliction
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
ill-temperedadjective
annoyed and irritable
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
inactiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/
(chemistry) not participating in a chemical reaction; chemically inert
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
incapacitatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪteɪtɪd/
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
materialadjectiveUS /məˈtɪriəl/
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
mistverbUS /mɪst/
become covered with mist
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
naturallyadverbUS /ˈnætʃərəli/
as might be expected
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
nearnessnoun
the spatial property resulting from a relatively small distance
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
nervesnounUS /nɜːrvz/
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
PRESS-GANG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
Robson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading He was not ill-tempered naturally, but this state of confinement made him more ill-tempered than he had ever been before in his life.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
STORYnounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Daniel Robson's fit of rheumatism incapacitated him from stirring abroad; and to a man of his active habits, and somewhat inactive mind, this was a great hardship.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.
waysnounUS /weɪz/
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading At such times the consciousness of the nearness of the vast unseen sea acted as a dreary depression to the spirits; but besides acting on the nerves of the excitable, such weather affected the sensitive or ailing in material ways.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG For a few days after the evening mentioned in the last chapter the weather was dull.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not in quick, sudden showers did the rain come down, but in constant drizzle, blotting out all colour from the surrounding landscape, and filling the air with fine gray mist, until people breathed more water than air.