used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
(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 DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
brokenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
David'snounUS /ˈdeɪvɪdz/
possessive form of “david” — patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
DIANAnounUS /daɪˈænə/
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
dream-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
every-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
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 When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
intangiblenounUS /ˌɪnˈtændʒəbəl/
assets that are saleable though not material or physical
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
and nothing more
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
LEARNSverbUS /lɜːrnz/
third-person singular of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
losesverbUS /ˈluːzəz/
third-person singular of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
not any; not one
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
and nothing more
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
soliditynounUS /səˈlɪdəti/
the consistency of a solid
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
unrealadjectiveUS /ənˈriːl/
lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The only real things to Diana, as she sank into her armchair, were that she held David's coat clasped in her arms; that David's sealed letter was in her hand; that David himself lay, hovering between life and death, just down the corridor.
at the time that
From this reading When the unexpected, beyond all imagining, suddenly takes place in a life, its every-day setting loses reality; its commonplace surroundings become intangible and vague.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading At first she could only clasp his coat to her breast, whispering brokenly: "He has come back to me!
in the company of; together with
From this reading DIANA LEARNS THE TRUTH Diana passed to her room, with the sense of all around her being dream-like and unreal.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There seemed no solidity about the stone floors and passages of the hospital; no reality about the ceaseless roar of London traffic without.
