used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
acutenessnounUS /əˈkjuːtnəs/
a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
(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 That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
for the reason that
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "So much the better, if it's the kind of one you desire."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
depriveverbUS /dɪˈpraɪv/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading "So much the better, if it's the kind of one you desire."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So much the better, if it's the kind of one you desire."
and nothing more
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "So much the better, if it's the kind of one you desire."
lapsedadjectiveUS /læpst/
no longer active or practicing
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
the act of departing
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
without good reason
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
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 Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
used to form the superlative
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "So much the better, if it's the kind of one you desire."
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
new-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
not any; not one
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
having a point
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
prescribedadjectiveUS /priˈskraɪbd/
set down as a rule or guide
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
pretendverbUS /priˈtend/
make believe with the intent to deceive
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
cut with a saw
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
express in words
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading That was the most she could say, and having made it sound as dry as possible she lapsed into a silence so pointed as to deprive him of all pretext for not leaving her.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Still, nevertheless, he stood there, playing with his hat and filling the long pause with a strained and anxious smile.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't pretend to be perfect, but I shall find a letter to-night!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He laughed out at this, and she wondered if, with a new-born acuteness, he saw the absurdity of her speech, and that no one was happy just because no one could be what she so lightly prescribed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "So much the better, if it's the kind of one you desire."
