used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
afflictionnounUS /əˈflɪkʃən/
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Confusion disappeared.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Confusion disappeared.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
divisible by two
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
thoroughnessnounUS /ˈθɜːroʊnəs/
conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
untidyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪdi/
not neat and tidy
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Even to wake up to an untidy room was an affliction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He might arrive in a hotel at midnight, but he could not sleep until his trunks were empty and everything in its place.
in or at the place that
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the method and thoroughness of his character he looked things in the face and put them where they belonged.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, knowing himself in love, he was able to set his house in order.
