used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
(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 AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
apparitionsnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃənz/
plural of “apparition” — a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
assaultsnounUS /əˈsɔːlts/
plural of “assault” — close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
power to direct or determine
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
CRISISnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
crumblingverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
distortedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɔːrtəd/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
any strong feeling
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
exercisesnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzəz/
plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
experimenternounUS /ɪkˈsperəmentər/
a research worker who conducts experiments
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
of the present time and place
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
kindergartennounUS /ˈkɪndərɡɑːrtən/
a preschool for children age 4 to 6 to prepare them for primary school
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
prioradjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
qualifyverbUS /ˈkwɑːləfaɪ/
prove capable or fit; meet requirements
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Frances," he said, "forgive me, I entirely forgot to present our guest."
seasonedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːzənd/
aged or processed
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
self-absorbedadjective
absorbed in your own interests or thoughts etc
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
not in physical motion
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
in or at that place or location
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading I had assumed that for an experimenter in the unexpected I could qualify as tried and seasoned.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Now it seemed that all prior assaults upon my equanimity had been mere kindergarten exercises in control.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
Weighborne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading AN INTERVIEW AND A CRISIS As I stood there all immediate things were apparitions seen vague and distorted through a chaos of wild emotion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Weighborne, still too self-absorbed to see that worlds were crumbling in his library, turned suddenly to us with an apologetic laugh.
