used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
highly skilled
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
without doubt or question
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
convictnounUS /ˈkɑːnvɪkt/
a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
doernounUS /duːr/
a person who acts and gets things done
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
any strong feeling
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
entangledadjectiveUS /enˈtæŋɡəld/
deeply involved especially in something complicated
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
only a very short time before
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
hideouslyadverbUS /ˈhɪdiəsli/
in a hideous manner
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
the quality of innocent naivete
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
praiseworthyadjectiveUS /ˈpreɪzwɜːrði/
worthy of high praise
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
Rendel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
believed likely
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
sustainingverbUS /səˈsteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “sustain” — lengthen or extend in duration or space
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
a special situation
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
in the direction of
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He shut himself into his study, and tried to distinguish clearly the threads of motive and conduct that had become so hideously entangled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But it is in reality a much more complicated operation than we are apt to think.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
at the time that
From this reading Such a course, when spoken of in general terms, gives a praiseworthy and sustaining sense of a duty accomplished towards society.
which person or people
From this reading It sounds a simple thing, doubtless, as well as a praiseworthy one, to discover the doer of an evil deed, to convict him, to bring home to him what he has done, and to prove the innocence of any other who may be suspected.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Rendel came downstairs, hardly conscious of what he was doing, a wild conflict of emotion raging in his mind.
