used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
how long something has existed
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
anxietiesnounUS /æŋˈzaɪətiz/
plural of “anxiety” — (psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
DEFERREDverbUS /dɪˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “defer” — hold back to a later time
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
discontentedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪd/
showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
an act that fails
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
innocuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɑːkjuːəs/
not injurious to physical or mental health
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
come together
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
MoorenounUS /mʊr/
United States composer of works noted for their use of the American vernacular (1893-1969)
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
mortgagenounUS /ˈmɔːrɡədʒ/
a conditional conveyance of property as security for the repayment of a loan
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading The farm never paid very well.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
reconciledadjectiveUS /ˈrekənsaɪld/
made compatible or consistent
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
Roger'snounUS /ˈrɑːdʒərz/
possessive form of “rogers” — United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
not in physical motion
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
precisely as stated
From this reading The farm never paid very well.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOPES DEFERRED Although John Moore never became reconciled to the failure of his factory, still he was not really unhappy on the farm.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The farm never paid very well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
at the time that
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading There is something too normal, something too entirely natural about a return to the soil after middle age, to permit a man broken and worn, as was Roger's father, really to be discontented when working in his own fields.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading After the first year or so they were obliged to mortgage it, and sometimes the interest was hard to meet.
a late time of life
From this reading But after the stormy factory years, these anxieties seemed innocuous enough and Roger and his mother, anyway, were deeply happy.
