used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
extreme mental distress
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
giftedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪftəd/
endowed with talent or talents
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
a young female
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
Kalus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
lingerverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡər/
remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
lizardsnounUS /ˈlɪzərdz/
plural of “lizard” — relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
not any; not one
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
and nothing more
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
poorlyadverbUS /ˈpuːrli/
(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
self-reassurances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
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 Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
subjectedverbUS /səbˈdʒektɪd/
past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
Sylviana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
terrifyingadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/
causing extreme terror
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
at the time that
From this reading Sylviana had watched his troubled sleep, and tried to wake him gently when his limbs began to tremble.
in or at the place that
From this reading Kalus had slept poorly, dreaming of lizards and spiders, and for several terrifying moments after first awakening, could not determine where the dreams ended and reality began.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading There could be no gentle self-reassurances, no soothing thoughts or voice of comfort from within.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
wordlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrdləs/
expressed without speech
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But the girl, gifted from birth with the power of speech, could not begin to understand the anguish that a mind without words was subjected to at such a time.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Only her presence, and the apparent safety of the chamber, helped bring him back slowly from the wordless world of darkness and terror in which his spirit seemed to linger.
