used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
alarmsnounUS /əˈlɑːrmz/
plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
analysesnounUS /əˈnæləsiːz/
plural of “analysis” — an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
chemicaladjectiveUS /ˈkeməkəl/
relating to or used in chemistry
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
concernsnounUS /kənˈsɜːrnz/
plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
cynicallyadverbUS /ˈsɪnɪkəli/
with cynicism; in a cynical manner
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
an opening into or through something
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
HudsonnounUS /ˈhʌdsən/
a New York river; flows southward into New York Bay; explored by Henry Hudson early in the 17th century
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
indispensableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbəl/
not to be dispensed with; essential
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
industrialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəl/
of or relating to or resulting from industry
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
joylessadjective
not experiencing or inspiring joy
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
laboredadjectiveUS /ˈleɪbərd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
immediately past
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
loomsnounUS /luːmz/
plural of “loom” — a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
and nothing more
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
moodilyadverb
in a moody manner
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
many times at short intervals
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
orenounUS /ɔːr/
a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
by chance
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
richesnounUS /ˈrɪtʃəz/
an abundance of material possessions and resources
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
ruddied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
SillsnounUS /sɪlz/
United States operatic soprano (born in 1929)
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
not known
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
unreliableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl/
liable to be erroneous or misleading
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Fame, riches are to be his fate--until interference looms up in the form of a few unreliable characters--and Nature herself!
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Walter Sills reflected now, as he had reflected often before, that life was hard and joyless.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
workernounUS /ˈwɜːrkər/
a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading He surveyed his dingy chemical laboratory and grinned cynically--working in a dirty hole of a place, living on occasional ore analyses that barely paid for absolutely indispensable equipment, while others, not half his worth perhaps, were working for big industrial concerns and taking life easy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He looked out the window at the Hudson River, ruddied in the flame of the dying sun, and wondered moodily whether these last experiments would finally bring him the fame and success he was after, or if they were merely some more false alarms.
a late time of life
From this reading Walter Sills labored for years as an unknown laboratory worker--but at fifty he makes his great discovery!
