used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
any thing at all
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
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 refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
breakdownnounUS /ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
clingsnounUS /klɪŋz/
plural of “cling” — fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
concentrateverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪt/
make denser, stronger, or purer
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
fairy-story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Oh, the irony of fate!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
ironynounUS /ˈaɪrəni/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading Oh, the irony of fate!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
Lancelot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
immediately past
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, the irony of fate!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
rejoiceverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/
feel happiness or joy
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
resentfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈzentfəl/
full of or marked by resentment or indignant ill will
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
savoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
swampedverbUS /swɔːmpt/
past form of “swamp” — drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
swimmernounUS /ˈswɪmər/
a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
whirlpoolnounUS /ˈwɜːrlpuːl/
a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)
From this reading In the utter breakdown and confusion of his plans and his ideas, it was the one definite thought he clung to, as a swimmer in a whirlpool clings to a rock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading He knew vaguely he ought to rejoice with her over her wonderful stroke of luck, that savoured of the fairy-story, but everything was swamped by that one almost resentful reflection.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The last words rang on in Lancelot's ears long after he had returned to his room.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading His brain refused to concentrate itself on any other aspect of the situation--he could not, would not, dared not, think of anything else.
