used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
actsnounUS /ækts/
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
(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 During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
comradeshipnoun
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
ERAnounUS /ˈerə/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
fluctuationsnounUS /ˌflʌktʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “fluctuation” — a wave motion
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
GuynounUS /ɡaɪ/
an informal term for a youth or man
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
interferingadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrɪŋ/
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
Kieff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
and nothing more
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
outsidernounUS /ˌaʊtˈsaɪ.dər/
A person who does not belong to a particular group or community; a stranger.
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
participate in games or sport
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
reticentadjectiveUS /ˈretɪsənt/
temperamentally disinclined to talk
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
a special situation
From this reading One thing only did she fully recognize, and that was that the old frank comradeship between herself and Burke had come to an end.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
transitionnounUS /trænˈzɪʃən/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
except if; if not
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE NEW ERA Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During all the anxiety of those days and the many fluctuations through which Guy passed, Burke came and went as an outsider, scarcely seeming to be interested in what passed, never interfering.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He never spoke to Kieff unless circumstances compelled him, and with Sylvia herself he was so reticent as to be almost forbidding.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.
