used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
abettedverbUS /əˈbetɪd/
inflected form of “abet” — assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One went to the wicket and looked out.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
bloodstainedadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdsteɪnd/
covered with blood
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
a youthful male person
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
brave-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
convulsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
haggardadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
importunateadjective
expressing persistant and earnest entreaty
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading One went to the wicket and looked out.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
Monitoryadjective
serving to warn
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One went to the wicket and looked out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One went to the wicket and looked out.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
cut with a saw
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then she noted fair hair, and had to believe that this haggard man was one with the brave-faced boy of earliest summer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Late knocking came importunate to the House Monitory.
unclothedadjective
not wearing clothing
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading One went to the wicket and looked out.
which person or people
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
wicketnounUS /ˈwɪkət/
cricket equipment consisting of a set of three stumps topped by crosspieces; used in playing cricket
From this reading One went to the wicket and looked out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her light, convulsed, for an instant abetted a delusion that he who stood knocking outside was Christ Himself with the signs of His Passion: unclothed was the man she saw, bloodstained, both head and hands.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He clung to the ledge for support; so spent was he that a word was hard to compass.
