used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
ardornounUS /ˈɑːrdər/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
exhale hard
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
lacking funds
From this reading The day broke heavy with threatening rain.
burned-outadjective
exhausted as a result of longtime stress
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day broke heavy with threatening rain.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
discussionsnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃənz/
plural of “discussion” — an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The day broke heavy with threatening rain.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
not any; not one
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
the act of departing politely
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The day broke heavy with threatening rain.
skims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
sobbingnounUS /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/
convulsive gasp made while weeping
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
not in physical motion
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
StuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The day broke heavy with threatening rain.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The parting at the Stuffed Animal House the next morning was dreary enough.
wastingnounUS /ˈweɪstɪŋ/
any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The man, after that brief flaming up of the embers of burned-out passion, had fallen into a weariness which he did not attempt to conceal.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There was a hurried breakfast, and while waiting for the stage the desultory talk that skims over dangerous topics for fear of getting into discussions for which there is no time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The day broke heavy with threatening rain.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading But the woman--being a woman--still tried to warm herself at the poor ashes, wasting her breath in a sobbing endeavor to blow them into some fitful ardor.
