used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
abatedverbUS /əˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “abate” — make less active or intense
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
quickly and without warning
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
exaltationnoun
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST SETBACK.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
formulateverbUS /ˈfɔːrmjəleɪt/
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
full-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
Jimmy'snounUS /ˈdʒɪmiz/
possessive form of “jimmy” — a short crowbar
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
and nothing more
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
on one occasion
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
SETBACKnounUS /ˈsetbæk/
an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
From this reading THE FIRST SETBACK.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
steam-engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The idea had come to him abruptly, almost full-born, as Jimmy had read such big ideas often do come.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
express in words
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST SETBACK.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
WattnounUS /wɑːt/
a unit of power equal to 1 joule per second; the power dissipated by a current of 1 ampere flowing across a resistance of 1 ohm
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He could understand now how James Watt must have felt as he planned the first steam-engine—a sort of exaltation which Jimmy could feel now in his own heart plainly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had seized upon it at once with the feeling that it _was_ his big idea, believing in it blindly, without stopping to reason it out.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was some minutes before Jimmy’s excitement had abated enough for him to tell Anne his plan; or indeed to be able to formulate in his own mind just what this wonderful new idea that had so suddenly come to him would mean.
