used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
anew
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TELLS OF AN ERRING WOMAN.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
brutenounUS /bruːt/
a cruelly rapacious person
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
Comethup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
concentrateverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪt/
make denser, stronger, or purer
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
ERRINGadjectiveUS /ˈerɪŋ/
capable of making an error
From this reading TELLS OF AN ERRING WOMAN.
divisible by two
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
opinion or judgment
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
faireradjectiveUS /ˈferər/
comparative of “fair” — free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
homewardadverbUS /ˈhoʊmwərd/
toward home
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
huntedadjectiveUS /ˈhʌntəd/
reflecting the fear or terror of one who is hunted
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
immediately past
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
the force of workers available
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
not any; not one
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TELLS OF AN ERRING WOMAN.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
a course of conduct
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
stridenounUS /straɪd/
a step in walking or running
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading TELLS OF AN ERRING WOMAN.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
trottingverbUS /ˈtrɑːtɪŋ/
inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
trudgingverbUS /ˈtrʌdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
hard to endure
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Finally, he got up impatiently, kicking the books out of his path, and began to stride up and down that end of the room, having something again of the appearance of a hunted, animal trotting to and fro within the measure of its cage.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
on a floor above
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
at the time that
From this reading "Am I such a brute?" he asked at last; "are there no days behind these--far away in the background--when things were better and fairer, and when I dreamed a dream, as other men have dreamed, of something greater even than books?
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He held his broad forehead between his palms, and set his lips, and bent his eyes steadily upon the printed page, tapping out a little impatient measure with his foot, in anger with himself that he could not concentrate his attention.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading TELLS OF AN ERRING WOMAN.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading While the captain and Comethup were trudging steadily homeward through the rain, the man in the dull upstairs room sat within his circle of light, trying to fix his mind upon the work before him.
