used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
(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 Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
without deviation
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
divisible by two
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
expandverbUS /ɪkˈspænd/
extend in one or more directions
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
an instinctive motive
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
Jessica's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
engage in
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
not any; not one
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
overwhelmedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmd/
past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
a light shade of red
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
satisfyingadjectiveUS /ˈsætɪsfaɪɪŋ/
providing abundant nourishment
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
slownessnounUS /ˈsloʊnəs/
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
not in physical motion
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
tranquillyadverb
without emotional agitation
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
transformationnounUS /ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃən/
a qualitative change
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
unfoldverbUS /ənˈfoʊld/
develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
vacantlyadverb
in a vacant manner
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
a vivid mental image
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
volatileadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːlətəl/
evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Jessica’s eyes for a long time rested tranquilly upon what seemed a gigantic rose hanging directly over her head.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
at the time that
From this reading Even when it finally began to descend nearer, and to expand and unfold pale pink leaves, still it was satisfying not to have to make any effort toward understanding it.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The transformation went on with infinite slowness before her vacantly contented vision.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Her brain received no impression whatever as to why it was there, and there was not the slightest impulse to wonder or to think about it at all.
but in spite of that
From this reading Instead of snow and cold and the black terror of being overwhelmed by stormy night, here were light and warmth and a curiously sleepy yet volatile sense of comfort.
