used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Gradually his efforts began to tell upon himself.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
dejected-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
earnestnessnounUS /ˈɜːrnəstnəs/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Gradually his efforts began to tell upon himself.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
forgetfulnessnoun
tendency to forget
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually his efforts began to tell upon himself.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
intangiblenounUS /ˌɪnˈtændʒəbəl/
assets that are saleable though not material or physical
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
Macheson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
engage in
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
MAYFAIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
the force of workers available
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
MYSTERIESnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
sprinklingnounUS /ˈsprɪŋklɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
express in words
From this reading Gradually his efforts began to tell upon himself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
a special situation
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
thinnernounUS /ˈθɪnər/
a diluting agent
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He grew thinner, there were shadows under his eyes, a curious intangible depression seemed to settle upon him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
white-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fascination of the thing grew upon him; he threw himself into his task with an energy which carried him often out of his own life and made forgetfulness an easy task.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Night after night they came, these tired, white-faced women, with a sprinkling of sullen, dejected-looking men; night after night he pleaded and reasoned with them, striving with almost passionate earnestness to show them how to make the best of the poor thing they called life.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading MYSTERIES IN MAYFAIR That night, and for many nights afterwards, Macheson devoted himself to his work in the East End.
