used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
(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 I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at night!
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at night!
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
divertedadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrtɪd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
driestadjectiveUS /ˈdraɪəst/
superlative of “dry” — free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
divisible by two
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
fatiguenounUS /fəˈtiːɡ/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
moving swiftly
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
horridadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəd/
exceedingly bad
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
JaspernounUS /ˈdʒæspər/
an opaque form of quartz; red or yellow or brown or dark green in color; used for ornamentation or as a gemstone
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
metaphysicaladjectiveUS /ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkəl/
pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
a form of address for a man
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But at night!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
profitnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
reelverbUS /riːl/
walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
relieve from
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
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 Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
sulphurousadjective
of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had to read the driest metaphysical books I possessed, not for pleasure or profit, but to fatigue my mind, so that it could get any rest at all.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
unwoundverbUS /ənˈwaʊnd/
inflected form of “unwind” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
vapornounUS /ˈveɪpər/
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading For some days after returning home, I could not get rid of the horrid gloom that brooded over me like a cloud of sulphurous vapor.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
precisely as stated
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
which person or people
From this reading During the day I kept myself very busy, looking after various things, making calls on those who needed a little assistance, looking after my garden and property, visiting Mr. Jasper, so my mind was diverted.
WoenounUS /woʊ/
misery resulting from affliction
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Woe to me, if it caught even the slightest thread of the black story of my life, for then away it would run like a fast flying reel, until all from the beginning was unwound.
