used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Sullivan’s implications recurred in their most convincing aspect.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
conqueredverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərd/
past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
carefully weighed
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
convincingadjectiveUS /kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/
causing one to believe the truth of something
From this reading Sullivan’s implications recurred in their most convincing aspect.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
Dilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
DominionnounUS /dəˈmɪnjən/
dominance or power through legal authority
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
flexibilitynounUS /ˌfleksəˈbɪləti/
the property of being flexible; easily bent or shaped
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
implicationsnounUS /ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “implication” — something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)
From this reading Sullivan’s implications recurred in their most convincing aspect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
might-have-beensnounUS /ˈmaɪtəvbɪnz/
plural of “might-have-been” — an event that could have occurred but never did
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
used to form the superlative
From this reading Sullivan’s implications recurred in their most convincing aspect.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Sullivan was so nearly right.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
by chance
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
principlenounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
recurredverbUS /riˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “recur” — happen or occur again
From this reading Sullivan’s implications recurred in their most convincing aspect.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Sullivan was so nearly right.
rigiditynounUS /rɪˈdʒɪdəti/
the physical property of being stiff and resisting bending
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
move upward
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
except for; apart from
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Sullivan was so nearly right.
statesmannounUS /ˈsteɪtsmən/
a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
SullivannounUS /ˈsʌləvən/
United States architect known for his steel framed skyscrapers and for coining the phrase “form follows function” (1856-1924)
From this reading Sullivan was so nearly right.
Sullivan'snounUS /ˈsʌlɪvənz/
possessive form of “sullivan” — United States architect known for his steel framed skyscrapers and for coining the phrase “form follows function” (1856-1924)
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
confined on all sides
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
vigilancenounUS /ˈvɪdʒələns/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was only natural perhaps, that Dilling should suffer the full and terrible force of Sullivan’s temptation after he thought he had conquered it, for it was only then that he permitted himself the dangerous pleasure of examining its possibilities.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Must not a statesman possess flexibility of mind as well as rigidity of principle?
which person or people
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
wrestledverbUS /ˈresəld/
past form of “wrestle” — combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force
From this reading In his silent office, surrounded by the hush of a building deserted now save by the Dominion Police who never relaxed their vigilance, he considered the might-have-beens, and wrestled with beasts that threatened to rise up and devour him.
