adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
abstractedadjectiveUS /ˈæbstræktɪd/
lost in thought; showing preoccupation
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
actingnounUS /ˈæktɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
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 Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
aspectnounUS /ˈæspekt/
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
awareadjectiveUS /əˈwer/
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
buttonedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtənd/
furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
capaciousadjectiveUS /kəˈpeɪʃəs/
large in capacity
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
chestnounUS /tʃest/
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
coatnounUS /koʊt/
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
contemplativeadjectiveUS /kənˈtemplətɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
detractedverbUS /dɪˈtræktɪd/
past form of “detract” — take away a part from; diminish
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
distinguishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
droopverbUS /druːp/
droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
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 The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
fairlyadverbUS /ˈferli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
GazingverbUS /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
grapplingnounUS /ˈɡræplɪŋ/
the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
HamletnounUS /ˈhæmlət/
a community of people smaller than a village
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
lampnounUS /læmp/
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
languornoun
a relaxed comfortable feeling
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
logicaladjectiveUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
meditativeadjectiveUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪv/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
orbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
promiseverbUS /ˈprɑːməs/
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
reflexnounUS /ˈriːfleks/
an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
soldier'snounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərz/
possessive form of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
student'snounUS /ˈstuːdənts/
possessive form of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
suppleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌpəl/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
supplyingnounUS /səˈplaɪɪŋ/
the activity of supplying or providing something
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
sword-stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In them lay no abstracted student's languor, no reflex burning of a solitary lamp; but a quiet grappling force engaged the penetrating look.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading That is, until the observer became aware that those soft and large dark meditative eyes had taken hold of him.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
whirringnounUS /ˈwɜːrɪŋ/
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The attentive droop of his shoulders and head, the straining of the buttoned coat across his chest, the air as of one who waited and listened, which distinguished his figure, detracted from the promise of other than contemplative energy, until his eyes were fairly seen and felt.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a man of middle stature, thin, and even frail, as he stood defined against the sky; with the complexion of the student, and the student's aspect.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Gazing upon them, you were drawn in suddenly among the thousand whirring wheels of a capacious and a vigorous mind, that was both reasoning and prompt, keen of intellect, acting throughout all its machinery, and having all under full command: an orbed mind, supplying its own philosophy, and arriving at the sword-stroke by logical steps,--a mind much less supple than a soldier's; anything but the mind of a Hamlet.
