used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
contestingverbUS /kənˈtestɪŋ/
-ing form of “contest” — to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
convulsionsnounUS /kənˈvʌlʃənz/
plural of “convulsion” — a sudden uncontrollable attack
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
DELIRIUMnounUS /dɪˈlɪriəm/
state of violent mental agitation
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
Den-Brao
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
a movement into or inward
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
expiringverbUS /ɪkˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “expire” — lose validity
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
a social unit living together
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
Gervaise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
Gregory'snounUS /ˈɡreɡəriz/
possessive form of “gregory” — (Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
heart-rending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
inanitionnoun
weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
Julyan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
set afire or burning
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
mason'snounUS /ˈmeɪsənz/
possessive form of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
palletnounUS /ˈpælət/
the range of colour characteristic of a particular artist or painting or school of art
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
resinousadjective
having the characteristics of pitch or tar
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
spoilsnounUS /spɔɪlz/
plural of “spoil” — (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
STARVATIONnounUS /stɑːrˈveɪʃən/
a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
tavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
in the direction of
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
in or at the place that
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
Yvon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
