used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
(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 His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
BARRIERSnounUS /ˈbæriərz/
plural of “barrier” — a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading THE LAST BARRIERS.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
beatsnounUS /biːts/
a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
an occurrence of something
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
coalescingadjectiveUS /ˌkoʊəˈlesɪŋ/
growing together, fusing
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
divisible by two
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
usually; as a rule
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
half-unconscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
jetty-wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST BARRIERS.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
many times at short intervals
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
relevantadjectiveUS /ˈreləvənt/
having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
Ruston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST BARRIERS.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
a special situation
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had come there to think; and deliberate thinking was a rare thing for him to set his head to.
Willie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Willie Ruston rested his elbows on the jetty-wall and gazed across the harbour entrance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His brain dealt generally--even with great matters, as all brains deal with small--in rapid half-unconscious beats; the process coalescing so closely with the decision as to be merged before it could be recognised.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But about this matter he meant to think; and the first result of his determination was (as it often is in such a case) that nothing at all relevant would stay by him.
