(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
breakagenounUS /ˈbreɪkɪdʒ/
the quantity broken
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She sighed as the realization came to her.
cheapestadjectiveUS /ˈtʃiːpəst/
superlative of “cheap” — relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
commoditiesnounUS /kəˈmɑːdətiz/
plural of “commodity” — articles of commerce
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed heartless, yet she could not escape it.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading It seemed heartless, yet she could not escape it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
heartlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtləs/
lacking in feeling or pity or warmth
From this reading It seemed heartless, yet she could not escape it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She sighed as the realization came to her.
hindrancenounUS /ˈhɪndrəns/
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
of great significance or value
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the way of the world.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
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 In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
something that is lost
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
man-madeadjectiveUS /ˈmænmeɪd/
not of natural origin; prepared or made artificially
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
the force of workers available
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
a particular point in time
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It seemed heartless, yet she could not escape it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the way of the world.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading She sighed as the realization came to her.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed heartless, yet she could not escape it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She sighed as the realization came to her.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading She sighed as the realization came to her.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the way of the world.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this as in other things, human life was the cheapest of commodities; its loss the least important hindrance, of less practical moment than the breakage of an ingenious man-made machine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She sighed as the realization came to her.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the way of the world.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was the way of the world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
which person or people
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Sitting on the log, staring at the river, her lips moved in almost unconscious prayer for the men who had died like men, doing the work they were paid to do.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading It was the way of the world.
but in spite of that
From this reading It seemed heartless, yet she could not escape it.
