used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
in addition
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
chasednounUS /tʃeɪst/
a person who is being chased
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
carefully weighed
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
experiencingverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “experience” — undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
ineffectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuːəl/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
and nothing more
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
lidsnounUS /lɪdz/
plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
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 There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
marshalingverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “marshal” — place in proper rank
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
the force of workers available
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
with speed
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
on the contrary
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
solutionnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
soothedverbUS /suːðd/
past form of “soothe” — give moral or emotional strength to
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
that is looked for
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
undertakingsnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋz/
plural of “undertaking” — any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
a vivid mental image
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading He drew a long breath, experiencing for the first time in his life a sense of intolerable weariness.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The two went out, and he leaned back, pressing his finger tips hard on his lids, and finding in the red blur that followed something that soothed and rested his eyes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
at the time that
From this reading Now he ran rapidly over the existing situation, marshaling his various undertakings in due order, when there sounded in his head something that seemed like the tearing of a piece of cloth.
which person or people
From this reading He was not one who sought out problems and chased them to their solution, but rather one who perceived the problem and, by singularly acute vision, perceived also the solution just behind it.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There were so many things that were overlooked by others but presented themselves to him for attention, that he had long since ceased to wonder why the world was full of men he considered ineffectual.
