used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
abstractedlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
BelowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Geoffrey scarcely saw the men.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
embankmentsnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənts/
plural of “embankment” — a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
esteemnounUS /əˈstiːm/
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Geoffrey scarcely saw the men.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
half-hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
INSPIRATIONnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
Julius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
MaplesnounUS /ˈmeɪpəlz/
plural of “maple” — wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
the force of workers available
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
obliviousadjectiveUS /əˈblɪviəs/
(followed by “to” or “of”) lacking conscious awareness of
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
placatingadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪkeɪtɪŋ/
intended to pacify by acceding to demands or granting concessions
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
Savine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
cut with a saw
From this reading But Geoffrey scarcely saw the men.
only a very short time before
From this reading But Geoffrey scarcely saw the men.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
swampsnounUS /swɑːmps/
plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
Thurston's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
toiledverbUS /tɔɪld/
past form of “toil” — work hard
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
at the time that
From this reading AN INSPIRATION More than twelve months had passed since Thurston's first visit to High Maples, when he stood one morning gazing abstractedly down a misty valley.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Below him a small army of men toiled upon the huge earth embankments, which, half-hidden by thin haze, divided the river from the broad swamps behind it.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading He had made rapid progress in his profession and had won the esteem of Julius Savine; but he felt uncertain as to how far he had succeeded in placating Miss Savine.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He was looking back upon the events of the past year, and was oblivious to the present.
