used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
abidingadjectiveUS /əˈbaɪdɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
after-life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
(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 In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading "Before I go to another place," replied Teddy.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
dearly loved
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Before I go to another place," replied Teddy.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
half-whimsical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
half-wistful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Before I go to another place," replied Teddy.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
lumpnounUS /lʌmp/
a compact mass
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "Before I go to another place," replied Teddy.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Before I go to another place," replied Teddy.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
TeddynounUS /ˈtedi/
plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
a special situation
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
TimothynounUS /ˈtɪməθi/
grass with long cylindrical spikes grown in northern United States and Europe for hay
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Teddy was more than glad to see him; he said it was the one thing he had been wishing for before he--, and then he stopped, and looked at his friend with a half-wistful, half-whimsical expression on his face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In all his after-life Timothy never forgot that night he spent with Teddy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It left upon him an abiding impression for good, and if in his manhood he stepped out of his way to do a kindness, he would sometimes think that he was urged to it by the spirit of his dear friend.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Before you what, Teddy?" asked Timothy, a great lump rising in his throat.
