used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
(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 man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "You came here prepared to take my uncle's life.
candidadjectiveUS /ˈkændəd/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading "Well, that is candid, at any rate," Walter said.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
divisible by two
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
fanaticnounUS /fəˈnætɪk/
a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
gratifyverbUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪ/
make happy or satisfied
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "You came here prepared to take my uncle's life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
homicidaladjectiveUS /ˌhɑːməˈsaɪdəl/
characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, that is candid, at any rate," Walter said.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
manianounUS /ˈmeɪniə/
an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "You came here prepared to take my uncle's life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
outbreaknounUS /ˈaʊtbreɪk/
a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
penaltynounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading "Well, that is candid, at any rate," Walter said.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, that is candid, at any rate," Walter said.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
saneadjectiveUS /seɪn/
mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
shiververbUS /ˈʃɪvər/
tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
carry out
From this reading "You came here prepared to take my uncle's life.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading "You came here prepared to take my uncle's life.
communicated in words
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
vengeancenounUS /ˈvendʒəns/
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
From this reading The man was sane enough beyond all doubt, but, at the same time, he was a fanatic, prepared to gratify his vengeance, even if his own life paid the penalty.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, that is candid, at any rate," Walter said.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The words were uttered with a grim coldness that caused Walter to shiver.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading This was worse than any outbreak of fury, worse than homicidal mania in its most acute form.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You came here prepared to take my uncle's life.
