used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
agitatingadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪŋ/
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
(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 The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
befallenverbUS /bəˈfɑːlən/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
BirminghamnounUS /ˈbɜːrmɪŋhæm/
the largest city in Alabama; located in northeastern Alabama
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
make right or correct
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
Fortescue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
set up or found
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
Kenneth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
information about recent and important events
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Was it surprising that this should be the case, after the agitating day that had gone before it?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A TROUBLED NIGHT IT was not, however, a good night, as far as Kenneth Fortescue was concerned, for he found it utterly impossible to sleep.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading How could he continue in the army, if his father were correct in saying that all his money was lost?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And then there was the cause of that illness—the ruin which had befallen all his hopes and prospects.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The startling telegram from home, the suspense during the journey, the unexpected meeting with his friends in Birmingham, the sad news on arriving home of his father's illness—the remembrance of all these kept sleep far away from him.
