used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
at any time
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
Gerald's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
come together
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
oppositionnounUS /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
prayedverbUS /preɪd/
past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
PROPOSALnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading THE PROPOSAL.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
express in words
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
only a very short time before
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PROPOSAL.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This one idea was so constantly in Gerald’s mind, that it could scarcely be said to be ever absent from his thoughts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Still he said not a word to any one, being afraid that should he do so, his plan might meet with opposition.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He dwelt on it as he sat over his work by day; he dreamed of it at night; and he prayed constantly for the blessing of God upon it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He feared that Margaret would say he was too young to engage in such work.
