used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
(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 When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
anchoritenoun
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!"
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
caressnounUS /kərˈes/
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
eaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
immediately past
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
the force of workers available
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
nobleradjectiveUS /ˈnoʊblər/
comparative of “noble” — impressive in appearance
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
PhilistinesnounUS /ˈfɪləstiːnz/
plural of “philistine” — a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
From this reading "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!"
plungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
PollocknounUS /ˈpɑːlək/
United States artist famous for painting with a drip technique; a leader of abstract expressionism in America (1912-1956)
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
SamsonnounUS /ˈsæmsən/
(Old Testament) a judge of Israel who performed herculean feats of strength against the Philistines until he was betrayed to them by his mistress Delilah
From this reading "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!"
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!"
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!"
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some of them had had to become womanless before they could be noble.
thunderboltnounUS /ˈθʌndərbɔːlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Pollock plunging to his death from the clouds, like an eagle struck by a thunderbolt!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
at the time that
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
which person or people
From this reading When the last sleepy caress had been given, all men who lacked the caution of the anchorite, were sooner or later destined to hear that cry.
womanless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading How much nobler men had been in a womanless world!
