used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
in actual fact
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
afreshadverbUS /əˈfreʃ/
again but in a new or different way
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
anew
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
(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 His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
arrearsnounUS /ərˈɪrz/
the state of being behind in payments
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
a small house with a single story
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
denoteverbUS /dɪˈnoʊt/
be a sign or indication of
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
psychological suffering
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
divisible by two
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
excessnounUS /ˈekses/
a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
forebodings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
Fornside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
the act of giving
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
depressingly dark
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
an established custom
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
irrelevantlyadverb
in an irrelevant manner
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
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 The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
not any; not one
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
outburstsnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrsts/
plural of “outburst” — an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
perambulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
pertinencynoun
relevance by virtue of being applicable to the matter at hand
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
RaynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
rentverbUS /rent/
let for money
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
resumingverbUS /rɪˈzuːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
Sim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
tailor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Sim's distress was, if possible, even greater than before.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The landlord had called that morning for his rent, which was long in arrears.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
trampedverbUS /træmpt/
past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
unstrungadjective
emotionally upset
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
villagersnounUS /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/
plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It seemed as if the gloomy forebodings of the villagers were actually about to be realized, and Sim's mind was really giving way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading On the evening of the day upon which old Wilson was expected back at Fornside, Ralph Ray turned in at the tailor's cottage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
work-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His staring eyes, his unconscious, preoccupied manner as he tramped to and fro in his little work-room, sitting at intervals, rising again and resuming his perambulations, now gathering up his tools and now opening them out afresh, talking meantime in fitful outbursts, sometimes wholly irrelevantly and occasionally with a startling pertinency,--all this, though no more than an excess of his customary habit, seemed to denote a mind unstrung.
