adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
brainnounUS /breɪn/
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
business-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
carefuladjectiveUS /ˈkerfəl/
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
completeverbUS /kəmˈpliːt/
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
conditionnounUS /kənˈdɪʃən/
a state at a particular time
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
confusedadjectiveUS /kənˈfjuːzd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
consistentadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪstənt/
(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
discoververbUS /dɪˈskʌvər/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
disorderedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɔːrdərd/
thrown into a state of disarray or confusion
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
dreamsnounUS /driːmz/
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
extentnounUS /ɪkˈstent/
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
fanciesnounUS /ˈfænsiz/
plural of “fancy” — something many people believe that is false
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
feverishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərɪʃ/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
formsnounUS /fɔːrmz/
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
grossadjectiveUS /ɡroʊs/
before any deductions
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
helpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
hopelesslyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpləsli/
in a hopeless manner
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/
plural of “incident” — a single distinct event
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
kaleidoscopenounUS /kəˈlaɪdəskoʊp/
a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
LookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
madadjectiveUS /mæd/
roused to anger
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
madmannounUS /ˈmædmæn/
an insane person
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
materialadjectiveUS /məˈtɪriəl/
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
methodnounUS /ˈmeθəd/
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
methodicaladjectiveUS /məˈθɑːdəkəl/
characterized by method and orderliness
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
mistakenounUS /mɪˈsteɪk/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
omissionnounUS /oʊˈmɪʃən/
a mistake resulting from neglect
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
patternsnounUS /ˈpætərnz/
plural of “pattern” — a perceptual structure
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
plansnounUS /plænz/
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
refinedadjectiveUS /rəˈfaɪnd/
(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
schemenounUS /skiːm/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
ShiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
slipverbUS /slɪp/
move stealthily
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
spiritualadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtʃuːəl/
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Yet no; each detail of my scheme was too complete, too consistent, too business-like for that.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
wedding-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Looking back on the incidents of those strange feverish weeks that preceded my wedding-day, they seemed to me like the dreams of a dying man.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Shifting colors, confused images, moments of clear light, hours of long darkness—all things gross, refined, material, and spiritual were shaken up in my life like the fragments in a kaleidoscope, ever changing into new forms and bewildering patterns.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A madman may have a method of action to a certain extent, but there is always some slight slip, some omission, some mistake which helps to discover his condition.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading My brain was clear; yet I often questioned myself whether I was not going mad—whether all the careful methodical plans I formed were but the hazy fancies of a hopelessly disordered mind?
