used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
(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 It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
forebodingnounUS /fɔːrˈboʊdɪŋ/
a feeling of evil to come
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
a long fixed look
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
ImpelledadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpeld/
urged or forced to action through moral pressure
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
impotentlyadverb
in a helpless manner
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
easily agitated
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
propheticadjectiveUS /prəˈfetɪk/
foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
refusesnounUS /rəˈfjuːzəz/
plural of “refuse” — food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
Tresler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP Impelled by curiosity and nervous anticipation Tresler did not long remain in the shelter of the barn.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
undignifiedadjectiveUS /ənˈdɪɡnɪfaɪd/
lacking dignity
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He knew that disaster was in the air as surely as if it had all happened, and there was nothing left for him but to gaze impotently upon the ruin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
look attentively
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was too dark to see distinctly all that way off, so he closed up on the object of his watch.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He intended to miss nothing of what was happening, so he crept out into the open, quite careless of the chances of being discovered at his undignified occupation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And all the time he was a prey to unpleasant foreboding; that unaccountable foreboding so truly prophetic, which refuses to be shaken off.
