used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
(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 For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LETTERS AND THEIR STORY.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
bereavementnounUS /bərˈiːvmənt/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
bethinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
betook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
the act of burning something
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
start firing a weapon
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
grandmother'snounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðərz/
possessive form of “grandmother” — the mother of your father or mother
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
kindleverbUS /ˈkɪndəl/
catch fire
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
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 For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
the literary culture
From this reading THE LETTERS AND THEIR STORY.
set afire or burning
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
something that is lost
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
marriage-register
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
mosquitoesnounUS /məˈskiːtoʊz/
plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I had said nothing to Charley about my ride, and the old church, and the marriage-register.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE LETTERS AND THEIR STORY.
StylesnounUS /staɪlz/
plural of “style” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The fire was burning brightly, and my reading lamp was on the table, ready to be lighted.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LETTERS AND THEIR STORY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE LETTERS AND THEIR STORY.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
tormentedadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrmentɪd/
experiencing intense pain especially mental pain
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
at the time that
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As soon as Charley went to bed, I betook myself to my grandmother’s room, in which, before discovering my loss, I had told Styles to kindle a fire.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For the time, indeed, I had almost lost what small interest I had taken in the matter--my new bereavement was so absorbing and painful; but feeling certain, when he left me, that I should not be able to sleep, but would be tormented all night by innumerable mental mosquitoes if I made the attempt, and bethinking me of my former resolution, I proceeded to carry it out.
