used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Raikes was listening as never before.
beguiledadjectiveUS /bɪˈɡaɪld/
filled with wonder and delight
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
clutchnounUS /klʌtʃ/
the act of grasping
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
collapsenounUS /kəˈlæps/
an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
extremitiesnounUS /ekˈstremətiz/
plural of “extremity” — an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
opinion or judgment
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Raikes was listening as never before.
long-delayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
maintainingverbUS /meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “maintain” — cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Raikes was listening as never before.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
and nothing more
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
partnershipnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərʃɪp/
the members of a business venture created by contract
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
poiseverbUS /pɔɪz/
be motionless, in suspension
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
Raikes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
relaxationnounUS /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/
(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
Sepoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
unbalancenounUS /ənˈbæləns/
a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
unregarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his hand, the fingers of which had released their clutch, the stone had rolled and gleamed an unregarded invitation into the eyes of the drawn face above it.
unrestnounUS /ənˈrest/
a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading The sickly grin of a long-delayed relaxation beguiled the extremities of his mouth, the grim lips had relaxed their ugly partnership, and his entire figure seemed upon the verge of collapse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As the Sepoy proceeded, Raikes leaned forward in an attitude, the discomfort and unbalance of which he seemed to be entirely unaware.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His only means of maintaining his rigid poise was in the arm which lay, with tense unrest, upon the table.
