adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
deliveredverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərd/
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
Egremont's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/
communicated in words
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
GilbertnounUS /ˈɡɪlbərt/
a unit of magnetomotive force equal to 0.7958 ampere-turns
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
GrailnounUS /ɡreɪl/
the object of any prolonged endeavor
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
ill-health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
incentivenounUS /ˌɪnˈsentɪv/
a positive motivational influence
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
latter'snounUS /ˈlætərz/
possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
lecturesnounUS /ˈlektʃərz/
plural of “lecture” — a speech that is open to the public
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
LIGHTSnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
linesnounUS /laɪnz/
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
mentaladjectiveUS /ˈmentəl/
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
neareradverbUS /ˈnɪrər/
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
neednounUS /niːd/
a condition requiring relief
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
SHADOWSnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
zealnounUS /ziːl/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
