used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
quickly and without warning
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
alliancenounUS /əˈlaɪəns/
the state of being allied or confederated
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
argueverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuː/
present reasons and arguments
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
Craighill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
set afire or burning
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
the force of workers available
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
not divisible by two
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
plausiblyadverbUS /ˈplɔːzəbli/
easy to believe on the basis of available evidence
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
SOUNDINGSnounUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋz/
plural of “sounding” — a measure of the depth of water taken with a sounding line
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
spyingnounUS /ˈspaɪɪŋ/
keeping a secret or furtive watch
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He lighted a cigarette and pondered the rapid succession of events that had so filled the afternoon and evening.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
vexedadjectiveUS /vekst/
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
From this reading He tried to find a natural explanation for everything, but the effort left him vexed and confused.
Walsh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading SOUNDINGS IN DEEP WATERS She left him abruptly and ran up to her room.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That these men should be spying upon his actions passed belief; but what did this odd alliance between the men argue?
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
Wingfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had reasoned with Mrs. Craighill plausibly enough, but the appearance of Walsh and Wingfield had been extraordinary; it was wholly unaccountable, and he did not like it.
