used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Every nerve in the boy was astir.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
a youthful male person
From this reading Every nerve in the boy was astir.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Too many deep emotions stirred his soul.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
dispossessverbUS /ˌdɪspəˈzes/
deprive of the possession of real estate
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading Too many deep emotions stirred his soul.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every nerve in the boy was astir.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
lavanounUS /ˈlɑːvə/
rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
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 A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading Every nerve in the boy was astir.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
omennounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
persistingadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstɪŋ/
relentless and indefatigable in pursuit or as if in pursuit
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Too many deep emotions stirred his soul.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Too many deep emotions stirred his soul.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
carry out
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Too many deep emotions stirred his soul.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He felt that he was at the verge of a great event, one in which he was to take a part to the full extent of his strength and courage, and there, too, was the sign of the lava, always coming back, always persisting.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A WIND OF THE DESERT Although many of the soldiers, the more hardened, had lain down to sleep, Phil did not feel that he could close his eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He might reason with himself and call himself foolish, but he could not dispossess his mind of the idea that it was an omen to show him that he was upon the trail by which that letter had come so vast a distance to him in the little town of Paris.
