used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
ailingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪlɪŋ/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always the same excuses.
a cherished desire
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
cobwebsnounUS /ˈkɑːbwebz/
plural of “cobweb” — a fabric so delicate and transparent as to resemble a web of a spider
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
constituteverbUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːt/
form or compose
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
remove the dust from
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
divisible by two
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading Always the same excuses.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
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 Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
longingsnounUS /ˈlɔːŋɪŋz/
plural of “longing” — prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
not any; not one
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
prickverbUS /prɪk/
make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Always the same excuses.
Seabourne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
stabverbUS /stæb/
use a knife on
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Always the same excuses.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At forty-five he was old and contented, or if not exactly contented, then resigned.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Had Ralph never wanted a change; had he never known ambition?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
belonging to which person
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ralph was like that now, a book that no one cared to open; he was covered with dust and cobwebs.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Perhaps, but such longings die, they cannot live on a law practice in Seabourne and an ailing Uncle John; they may prick and stab for a little while, may even constitute a real torment, but withstand them long enough and you will have peace, the peace of the book whose leaves are never turned; the peace of dust and cobwebs.
