used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
bargainsnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡənz/
plural of “bargain” — an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
brutenounUS /bruːt/
a cruelly rapacious person
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
placed in a grave
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
Danny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
take in liquids
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
garishadjectiveUS /ˈɡerɪʃ/
tastelessly showy
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
half-a-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
inertadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɜːrt/
unable to move or resist motion
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
lifetimenounUS /ˈlaɪftaɪm/
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
night-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
obstructionnounUS /əbˈstrʌkʃən/
any structure that makes progress difficult
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
QuinnounUS /kwɪn/
one of five children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
refinementnounUS /rəˈfaɪnmənt/
a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
reparteenounUS /ˌrepərˈtiː/
adroitness and cleverness in reply
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
sagacitynounUS /səˈɡæs.ə.t̬i/
The quality of being sagacious; keen wisdom and sound judgment. (Sự minh triết, sự sáng suốt.)
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
soulfuladjectiveUS /ˈsoʊlfəl/
full of or expressing deep emotion
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
staleadjectiveUS /steɪl/
lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration from age
From this reading In the corner of the kitchen, behind the brute obstruction of human beings, awkward and inert with stale drink, half-a-dozen candles made a garish night-time round the dead man.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
tellernounUS /ˈtelər/
United States physicist (born in Hungary) who worked on the first atom bomb and the first hydrogen bomb (1908-2003)
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
trancenounUS /træns/
a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
unflinchingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
uprightnessnoun
the property of being upright in posture
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Danny Quin was to be buried that afternoon.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was an old man, in his lifetime a driver of hard bargains, a teller of old tales in which his own sagacity, uprightness, and power of repartee were unflinchingly set forth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the third day of the wake, and his house, always dependent for light on its open door, was dark with the crowd of people inside and outside the threshold.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading He lay with the yellow flicker on his steadfast face, a presence of extraordinary refinement and soulful trance among his late fellows.
