used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
aghastadjectiveUS /əˈɡæst/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
associationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
Bickerdike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
corollarynounUS /ˈkɔːrəleri/
a practical consequence that follows naturally
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
disquietingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskwaɪətɪŋ/
causing mental discomfort
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
dissipatingverbUS /ˈdɪsəpeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dissipate” — to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
at any time
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
fatalitynounUS /fəˈtælɪti/
a death resulting from an accident or a disaster
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
formlessadjective
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
set up or found
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
impalpableadjective
incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
insistencenounUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəns/
continual and persistent demands
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
instrumentalitynounUS /ˌɪnstrəmenˈtælɪti/
a subsidiary organ of government created for a special purpose
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
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 But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
MSnounUS /mɪz/
a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
not divisible by two
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
overcloudverb
become covered with clouds
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
precedesverbUS /prɪˈsiːdz/
third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading But that first sick alarm was not long in dissipating itself in me in a fine scorn.
Simpson'snounUS /ˈsɪmpsənz/
possessive form of “simpson” — United States divorcee whose marriage to Edward VIII created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
smoking-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
the upper part of anything
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
unnervingadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrvɪŋ/
inspiring fear
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
VISITSnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading THE BARON VISITS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME (_From the Bickerdike MS._) I confess that the man’s communication, coming on the top of my concern for my friend, fairly, in the first moment of it, took me aghast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The state in which I had found Hugh, that disquieting business of the gun, his insistence on sticking to his weapon--it was inevitable that my mind should instinctively leap to some association between these and a catastrophe so seemingly their corollary in its nature and instrumentality.
which person or people
From this reading It was formless, impalpable, but it was there, like that unnerving atmosphere which precedes, according to people who know, an earthquake.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was odd, but ever since my meeting with the Baron in Simpson’s smoking-room a sense as of some vague fatality had seemed to overcloud me.
