used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
in actual fact
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
armournounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
arrownounUS /ˈæroʊ/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
bull's-eyenoun
a lantern with a single opening and a sliding panel that can be closed to conceal the light
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
crumblingverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
disdainingverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “disdain” — look down on with disdain
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
divisible by two
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
ever-widening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
hauteurnoun
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
instantaneousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnstənˈtæniəs/
occurring with no delay
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
insultedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsʌltɪd/
past form of “insult” — treat, mention, or speak to rudely
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
launchedverbUS /lɔːntʃt/
past form of “launch” — set up or found
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
go away from a place
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
monumentnounUS /ˈmɑːnjuːmənt/
a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
mottledadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːtəld/
having spots or patches of color
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
palpableadjectiveUS /ˈpælpəbəl/
capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
parleynounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
pompnounUS /pɑːmp/
cheap or pretentious or vain display
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
randomadjectiveUS /ˈrændəm/
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
on the contrary
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
move upward
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
express in speech
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
successive (without a break)
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His face grew mottled and green rather than pale.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
a shaky motion
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
underlingnounUS /ˈʌndərlɪŋ/
an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
undiminishedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndəˈmɪnɪʃt/
not lessened or diminished
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
unpreparedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnpriˈperd/
without preparation; not prepared for
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old man's contempt for me had been something to be felt, so palpable was it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A few moments after I began to speak in terms as severe as his own, his trembling hands grasped the arms of the chair in which he sat, and his ever-widening eyes, which came to regard me with something like superstitious dread as I went on, showed me I had launched my random arrow straight at the bull's-eye of fact.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
which person or people
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The armour of icy reserve had been so complete that actually I had expected to see him rise with undiminished hauteur, and leave the room, disdaining further parley with one who had insulted him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Doubtless that is the way in which his master would have acted, but even in the underling I was unprepared for the instantaneous crumbling of this monument of pomp and pride.
