used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
cordiallyadverbUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
a small house with a single story
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
divisible by two
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
at any time
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
an established custom
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
holdingsnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋz/
plural of “holding” — the act of retaining something
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
introspectionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈspekʃən/
the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Mostyn took long solitary walks.
Marie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
morbidadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrbəd/
suggesting an unhealthy mental state
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
Mostyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mostyn took long solitary walks.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His habit of morbid introspection had grown and become a fixed feature of his life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
go across or through
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
profitnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
signaledverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəld/
past form of “signal” — communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Mostyn took long solitary walks.
speculativeadjectiveUS /ˈspekjələtɪv/
not financially safe or secure
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
suburbsnounUS /ˈsʌbərbz/
plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
sunshadenoun
a canopy made of canvas to shelter people or things from rain or sun
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Mostyn took long solitary walks.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading She smiled cordially, nodded, signaled with her sunshade, and hurried through the little gate toward him.
unrelatedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnrɪˈleɪtɪd/
lacking a logical or causal relation
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Mostyn took long solitary walks.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
Winship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had wandered into the suburbs of the city one afternoon, and, happening to pass an isolated cottage at the side of the road, he was surprised to see Marie Winship coming out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even while occupied with business his secret self stood invisible at his elbow whispering, ever whispering things alien from material holdings or profit--matters unrelated to speculative skill or judgment.
