used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At least I do.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
bathtubnounUS /ˈbæθtəb/
a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
beardedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪrdəd/
having hair on the cheeks and chin
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
uttered without voice
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
crackingnounUS /ˈkrækɪŋ/
a sudden sharp noise
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
delusionsnounUS /dɪˈluːʒənz/
plural of “delusion” — (psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading At least I do.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
experiencingverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “experience” — undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
gentnounUS /dʒent/
informal abbreviation of “gentleman”
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
the act of departing
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
halonounUS /ˈheɪloʊ/
an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
idealsnounUS /aɪˈdiːlz/
plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
impulsesnounUS /ˈɪmpəlsɪz/
plural of “impulse” — an instinctive motive
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
inanimateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnænəmət/
belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
Langston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading At least I do.
loyaltiesnounUS /ˈlɔɪəltiz/
plural of “loyalty” — the quality of being loyal
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
the time that has elapsed
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
persecutingverbUS /ˈpɜːrsɪkjuːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “persecute” — cause to suffer
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
cut with a saw
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
a person, without saying who
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
something's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
technicolornounUS /ˈteknɪkʌlər/
a trademarked method of making color motion pictures
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
telenosis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
undefinedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈfaɪnd/
not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
precisely as stated
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
visionsnounUS /ˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
used to ask for information about something
From this reading [Sidenote: Langston had technicolor delusions; inanimate objects came alive in his hands; THEY were persecuting him, out to get him ... what a relief it was to know he wasn't going insane!]
at the time that
From this reading When I saw the blood dripping from the tap in the bathtub, I knew that someone had a telenosis beam on me, and I breathed a very audible sigh of relief.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading During the past few days, I had begun to wonder if I was really cracking up.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading When you start seeing visions of a bearded gent with a halo, or having vague but wonderful dreams about some sort of perfect world, feeling intense loyalties to undefined ideals, and experiencing sudden impulses, sometimes cruel and sometimes kind--you know that something's wrong.
