used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
amusementsnounUS /əˈmjuːzmənts/
plural of “amusement” — a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
animationnounUS /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/
the condition of living or the state of being alive
From this reading For weeks Alice appeared to find interest and animation in his presence.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For weeks Alice appeared to find interest and animation in his presence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
BARSnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
chocolatenounUS /ˈtʃɔːklət/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
clothing in general
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
concentratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪd/
gathered together or made less diffuse
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
creamsnounUS /kriːmz/
plural of “cream” — the best people or things in a group
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
engrossverbUS /ɪnˈɡroʊs/
devote (oneself) fully to
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
erringadjectiveUS /ˈerɪŋ/
capable of making an error
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
communicated in words
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading For weeks Alice appeared to find interest and animation in his presence.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
friendshipsnounUS /ˈfrendʃɪps/
plural of “friendship” — the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
HeathnounUS /hiːθ/
a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
impulsesnounUS /ˈɪmpəlsɪz/
plural of “impulse” — an instinctive motive
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading For weeks Alice appeared to find interest and animation in his presence.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
immediately past
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
on one occasion
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
outletnounUS /ˈaʊtlet/
a place of business for retailing goods
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading For weeks Alice appeared to find interest and animation in his presence.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
rapturenounUS /ˈræptʃər/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
repressedadjectiveUS /riˈprest/
characterized by or showing the suppression of impulses or emotions
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
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 At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading At first he told himself in a kind of rapture that success was apparent in his earliest and slightest efforts.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For weeks Alice appeared to find interest and animation in his presence.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE IRON BARS As the days went on it seemed to him that his nature, repressed in so many other directions, was concentrated at last in a single channel of feeling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The one outlet was his passion for Alice, and nothing that concerned her was too remote or too trivial to engross him--her clothes, her friendships, the particular chocolate creams for which she had once expressed a preference.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
withdrawverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔː/
pull back or move away or backward
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To fill her life with amusements that would withdraw her erring impulses from Geoffrey Heath became for a time his absorbing purpose.
