used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
ANGLINGnounUS /ˈæŋɡlɪŋ/
fishing with a hook and line (and usually a pole)
From this reading SUCCESSFUL ANGLING.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the two together, not just one
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
broodingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
convictionsnounUS /kənˈvɪkʃənz/
plural of “conviction” — an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
a particular point in time
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
on one occasion
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
and nothing more
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
sedativenounUS /ˈsedətɪv/
a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
stimulantnounUS /ˈstɪmjələnt/
any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading SUCCESSFUL ANGLING.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But both whisky and tobacco seemed to fail of the effect expected of them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
a special situation
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
at the time that
From this reading So said the Count when he returned to his room, and he accordingly acted on his convictions.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading 'The only good thing about life is that it's interesting, but it's quite possible to have too much interest at once, and then it begins to be irritating and depressing, and the best sedative is tobacco, and the best stimulant is whisky.'
in the company of; together with
From this reading He sat looking broodingly at the fire for a moment or two; then he got up, paced the length of the room, and, turning sharply, stamped his foot on the ground, muttered a curse or two, and flung his hands out with a vigorous gesture of annoyance.
