used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
anew
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
the act of departing
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
every person
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
howledverbUS /haʊld/
past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
imaginingverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/
-ing form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
not divisible by two
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
perceptiblyadverb
in a noticeable manner
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
on the contrary
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
RockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
not in physical motion
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
straitnounUS /streɪt/
a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
themenounUS /θiːm/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A more cheerful feeling had obtained and the situation was now looked upon by most of the prisoners as but one of the extraordinary incidents of Rocky Mountain travel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE LIFE LINE There were smiles before comment began, as the minister finished his odd story, which, as everybody seemed to feel, was told rather to distract attention from the outlook in the present strait than as having any serious application to the theme under discussion, and, for a time, there was a departure from the subject.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind still howled outside, but the cold did not increase perceptibly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He sat looking upon the scene with a degree of interest.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The one woman had retired to her own car and Stafford, after a season of wild imagining, had returned to earth again.
