used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
assaultsnounUS /əˈsɔːlts/
plural of “assault” — close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
BALTAZAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
bandagenounUS /ˈbændɪdʒ/
a piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
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 What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
close-fittingadjective
fitting closely but comfortably
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
emanating from God
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
extractingverbUS /ekˈstræktɪŋ/
-ing form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
happeningsnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋz/
plural of “happening” — an event that happens
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
mathematicaladjectiveUS /ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl/
of or pertaining to or of the nature of mathematics
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
ministrationsnounUS /ˌmɪnəˈstreɪʃənz/
plural of “ministration” — assistance in time of difficulty
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
morningsnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
outrageousadjectiveUS /aʊˈtreɪdʒəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
researchesnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “research” — systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
soft-voiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
swathedverbUS /swɑːðd/
past form of “swathe” — wrap in swaddling clothes
From this reading Conscious of discomfort, he raised his hand and felt his head swathed in a close-fitting, scientific bandage.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He remembered now that he had lain there for a considerable time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/
clearly evident to the mind
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BALTAZAR awoke a couple of mornings afterwards to find that certain vague happenings which he had regarded as dreams were true.
belonging to which person
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He really lay in a comfortable bed, in a pleasant room; the soft-voiced woman in grey, whose ministrations he had been unable to divine, stood smiling at the foot of his bed, an unmistakable nurse.
woundsnounUS /wuːndz/
plural of “wound” — an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading What he had taken for outrageous assaults on his brain for the purpose of extracting the secrets of his mathematical researches, had been the doctor dressing his wounds.
