adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
adventureverbUS /ædˈventʃər/
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
affairnounUS /əˈfer/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Hitherto I had been a law-abiding citizen.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
blottedverbUS /ˈblɑːtəd/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
careernounUS /kərˈɪr/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
champagnenounUS /ʃæmˈpeɪn/
a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
citizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/
a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading Hitherto I had been a law-abiding citizen.
cogitationnounUS /ˌkɑːdʒɪˈteɪʃən/
a carefully considered thought about something
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
committedadjectiveUS /kəˈmɪtɪd/
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
conventionallyadverbUS /kənˈvenʃənəli/
in a conventional manner
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
drunkadjectiveUS /drʌŋk/
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
dwellverbUS /dwel/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
exhilaratingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/
making lively and cheerful
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
freelyadverbUS /ˈfriːli/
in a free manner
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
garagenounUS /ɡərˈɑːʒ/
an outbuilding (or part of a building) for housing automobiles
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
GEARnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
gibbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
HIGHadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
HithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Hitherto I had been a law-abiding citizen.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
humdrumadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmdrʌm/
not challenging; dull and lacking excitement
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
law-abidingadjective
(of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs
From this reading Hitherto I had been a law-abiding citizen.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
madnessnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
murderverbUS /ˈmɜːrdər/
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
OnceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
radicalnounUS /ˈrædəkəl/
(chemistry) two or more atoms bound together as a single unit and forming part of a molecule
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
rousingadjectiveUS /ˈraʊzɪŋ/
capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Once committed to the adventure and away from the scene of the murder, I found a positive relief in facing the madness of the affair.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/
successive (without a break)
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE HIGH GEAR To pass straight from a humdrum, comfortable, conventionally ordered life into a career of insane adventure is a step that is radical; but it can be exhilarating, and I proved the fact that day.
turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To dwell on present danger was to forget the past hour in the garage, which I had to forget or begin gibbering.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading While the girl sat silent and listless, blotted against the cushions, rousing from her thoughts only to indicate the turns of the road, I had time for cogitation; and I began to feel like a man who has drunk freely of champagne.
