used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
banaladjectiveUS /bəˈnɑːl/
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading He smiled bitterly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
chaffverbUS /tʃæf/
be silly or tease one another
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
congregationnounUS /ˌkɑːŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
fumesnounUS /fjuːmz/
gases ejected from an engine as waste products
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He smiled bitterly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
idolnounUS /ˈaɪdəl/
a material effigy that is worshipped
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
incensenounUS /ˌɪnˈsens/
a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
marrownounUS /ˈmeroʊ/
the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
not any; not one
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
Opdyke's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
pedestalnounUS /ˈpedəstəl/
a support or foundation
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
preachedverbUS /priːtʃt/
past form of “preach” — deliver a sermon
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
ReednounUS /riːd/
tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
self-distrustnoun
lack of self-confidence
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
have in common
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He smiled bitterly.
sniffedverbUS /snɪft/
past form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It had been a pleasant experience, this knowing himself the idol of a steadily increasing share of his congregation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
precisely as stated
From this reading Reed Opdyke's chaff, meant in all good nature, had struck home to the very marrow of his self-distrust.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
in or at the place that
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had clambered to a pedestal where he stood and preached banal things which, in reality, he doubted, and smiled at his congregation, and sniffed contentedly at the fumes of incense rising about him, incense of which he was but too well aware.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have had no idea how to stop it; but, if the truth were told, he had had no especial wish to stop it, if he could.
