used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading "Thank God!" he exclaimed aloud.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
of short duration or distance
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Thank God!" he exclaimed aloud.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
fractionnounUS /ˈfrækʃən/
a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
fragileadjectiveUS /ˈfrædʒəl/
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading "Thank God!" he exclaimed aloud.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
intense and profound fear
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
and nothing more
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a particular point in time
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
nerve-rackingadjectiveUS /ˌnɜːrˈvrækɪŋ/
extremely irritating to the nerves
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
not any; not one
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
premonitionnounUS /preməˈnɪʃən/
a feeling of evil to come
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
sinnedverbUS /sɪnd/
inflected form of “sin” — commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
sinningnounUS /ˈsɪnɪŋ/
an act that is regarded by theologians as a transgression of God's will
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
a male human offspring
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading "Thank God!" he exclaimed aloud.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It came to him, almost joyously, that there had been premonition in his strange mood of longing for a son.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Every line in the boy's fragile, pathetic figure went straight to the older man's heart.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He had never doubted for the fraction of a second that his guest was a criminal, and in every sense a desperate one, but, just as instinctively, he felt certain that no matter what the horror he had run from, he was more sinned against than sinning.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading As an end to this nerve-racking night, there was work to do--for the remainder of it, at least for a brief moment, he had a companion in his grim, empty house.
