used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
adolescencenounUS /ˌædəˈlesəns/
the time period between the beginning of puberty and adulthood
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
amiablyadverbUS /ˈeɪmiəbli/
in an affable manner
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
attributenounUS /ˈætrəbjuːt/
a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
brought into existence
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
the two together, not just one
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
the act of breaking something
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
brinknounUS /brɪŋk/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
chattedverbUS /ˈtʃætəd/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading And sometimes I have thought that there is a little of the feminine in my nature.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
gentlenessnounUS /ˈdʒentəlnəs/
the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
a young female
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And sometimes I have thought that there is a little of the feminine in my nature.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And sometimes I have thought that there is a little of the feminine in my nature.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
masterpiecesnounUS /ˈmæstərpiːsəz/
plural of “masterpiece” — the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
a particular point in time
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading And sometimes I have thought that there is a little of the feminine in my nature.
NormannounUS /ˈnɔːrmən/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
pensiveadjectiveUS /ˈpensɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
proudlyadverbUS /ˈpraʊdli/
with pride; in a proud manner
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
express in words
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And sometimes I have thought that there is a little of the feminine in my nature.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And sometimes I have thought that there is a little of the feminine in my nature.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The lads had a gentleness of feature, an unconscious grace that sometimes is the attribute of adolescence, and their mother walked between them, proudly--they were her masterpieces.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For some time Norman chatted amiably, but I could see that a pensive shadow was steadily creeping over the brilliancy of his spirits.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
at the time that
From this reading "They tell me," he said in subdued tones, breaking suddenly from the topic in hand, "that both my parents hoped for a girl when I was born.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
worshipersnounUS /ˈwɜːrʃɪpərz/
plural of “worshiper” — someone who admires too much to recognize faults
From this reading Turning down a street, we passed a church from which the worshipers were emerging, and a mother with two sons on the brink of manhood held our attention for a moment.
