used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
abbenounUS /ˈæbi/
a French abbot
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
bombshellsnounUS /ˈbɑːmʃelz/
plural of “bombshell” — an entertainer who has a sensational effect
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
brought into existence
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
cursesnounUS /ˈkɜːrsɪz/
plural of “curse” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
earthlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrθli/
of or belonging to or characteristic of this earth as distinguished from heaven
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
explodingverbUS /ɪkˈsploʊdɪŋ/
-ing form of “explode” — cause to burst with a violent release of energy
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
irenounUS /aɪr/
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
missilesnounUS /ˈmɪsəlz/
plural of “missile” — a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
used to form the superlative
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
an amount of time
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
pilgrimagenounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmədʒ/
a journey to a sacred place
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
provokingadjectiveUS /prəˈvoʊkɪŋ/
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
rainedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
schemesnounUS /skiːmz/
plural of “scheme” — an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
sharpenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːrpənd/
having the point made sharp
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
shiververbUS /ˈʃɪvər/
tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
sketchingverbUS /ˈsketʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “sketch” — make a sketch of
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
SPIDERSnounUS /ˈspaɪdərz/
plural of “spider” — predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading THE SPIDERS SPIN.
SPINverbUS /spɪn/
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading THE SPIDERS SPIN.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
tacticsnounUS /ˈtæktɪks/
the branch of military science dealing with detailed maneuvers to achieve objectives set by strategy
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SPIDERS SPIN.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
not expected or anticipated
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
unfairadjectiveUS /ənˈfer/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
untowardadjectiveUS /əntuːˈɔːrd/
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
the act of using
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
belonging to which person
From this reading The abbe had already been obliged to change his tactics several times in consequence of untoward circumstances, and now from a clearing heaven there rained down missiles whose unexpected proximity sharpened his ire.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why was I born so late?" he asked himself with muttered curses.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With unexpected bombshells exploding at one's feet, what was the use of sketching elaborate schemes which accident would most likely shiver?
a late time of life
From this reading How provoking and how unfair to be called upon to drag out the years of our earthly pilgrimage during so stormy a period as this one!
