used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
on or to one side
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
assiduouslyadverbUS /əˈsɪdwəsli/
with care and persistence
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
earlier than; in front of
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
gotten under control
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
COWBOYnounUS /ˈkaʊbɔɪ/
a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
drop-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
being one more than seven
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
endeavoredverbUS /ɪnˈdevərd/
past form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
inevitablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbli/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
set down according to a plan
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
Langdon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
immediately past
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
a room where books are kept
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
not any; not one
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
occupyingverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
occurrencesnounUS /əˈkɜːrənsɪz/
plural of “occurrence” — an event that happens
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
Patricia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
PATRICIA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
printedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
not in physical motion
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading For an hour she had tried in vain to interest herself in the reading of the latest novel.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PATRICIA'S COWBOY LOVER On Sunday evening Patricia Langdon was alone in the library of her home, occupying her favorite corner beneath the drop-light.
at the time that
From this reading The hour was still early, it being barely eight o'clock, when James, the footman, entered the room and announced:
in the company of; together with
From this reading No matter how assiduously she endeavored to put those thoughts aside, they insisted upon looming up before her, and at last, with a sigh, she closed her book and laid it aside.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Try as she might, she could not center her mind upon the printed words contained in the volume she held, for, inevitably, her thoughts drifted away to the occurrences of the preceding day and evening.
