used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
achingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪkɪŋ/
causing a dull and steady pain
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
(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 Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
anguishnounUS /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
extreme mental distress
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
cleanernounUS /ˈkliːnər/
a preparation used in cleaning something
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
a long fixed look
From this reading For a moment the two of them maintained a silent gaze.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
loneadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading For a moment the two of them maintained a silent gaze.
become covered with mist
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment the two of them maintained a silent gaze.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
numbnessnounUS /ˈnʌmnəs/
partial or total lack of sensation in a part of the body; a symptom of nerve damage or dysfunction
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
and nothing more
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
in the near future
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
with low volume
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
cut with a saw
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
marked by absence of sound
From this reading For a moment the two of them maintained a silent gaze.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading After a little his eyes opened and he saw Maggie looking intently at him from their bedroom door.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For a moment the two of them maintained a silent gaze.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
male cat
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For a moment the two of them maintained a silent gaze.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
at the time that
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading He lay for a time, his eyes turned dully into the back yard, watching the dirty light grow cleaner; and presently he sank into a light sleep.
but in spite of that
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE When morning began to creep into the streets, and while it was yet only a dingy mist, Tom slipped quietly into his flat and stretched his wearied length upon the couch, his anguish subdued to an aching numbness by his lone walk.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then she asked: "You were out all night?"
