used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
(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 They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
communed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
conclavenounUS /ˈkɑːnkleɪv/
a confidential or secret meeting
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
the act of giving
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
in motion
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
not any; not one
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I know now that if any spirit communed with me that night it was my own evil angel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading I sat down in my uncle’s room, and, drawing the chair he had died in opposite his portrait, I held a strange conclave with (as I believed then) his ghost.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
wedding-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
at the time that
From this reading When supper was over I bade my servants retire.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had thought me cracked, and with reason, I believe, for the way in which I had wandered about the house all day, moving and shifting and preparing, and giving orders to no seeming purpose.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE night before my wedding-day—it was natural enough—there was a restlessness upon me which would not let me sleep, or think of sleep.
