used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
(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 Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
annihilatingadjectiveUS /əˈnaɪəleɪtɪŋ/
wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
a youthful male person
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
divisible by two
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
at any time
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
a young female
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
of great significance or value
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
impotencenounUS /ˈɪmpətəns/
the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
engage in
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
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 No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
masteredadjectiveUS /ˈmæstərd/
understood perfectly
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
not any; not one
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
perspectivenounUS /pərˈspektɪv/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
pursueverbUS /pərˈsuː/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
Rowland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
scoffedverbUS /skɔːft/
past form of “scoff” — laugh at with contempt and derision
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
shilly-shallying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
having a supporting base
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
a special situation
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He would a little time before have scoffed at the possibility of any such thing happening to himself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
hard to endure
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
weightedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
made heavy or weighted down with weariness
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was very difficult for Rowland to decide what course he ought to pursue practically at the moment after these bewildering experiences.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
which person or people
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
in the company of; together with
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was a man who had a great contempt for what he would himself have called shilly-shallying, and for the impotence which could be mastered by difficulties, and could not make the most of a trying situation.
but in spite of that
From this reading No such thing had ever happened in the course of his work, which had involved many interests far more important than the interests of two insignificant creatures--girl and boy: which had sometimes been weighted with the responsibility of life and death for many; and yet he had not paused and hesitated as now.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Two insignificant creatures, girl or boy, will blot out earth and even heaven from you, standing so near as they do, annihilating all perspective.
