used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
asylumnounUS /əˈsaɪləm/
a shelter from danger or hardship
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
clayish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
consigning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
conspiracynounUS /kənˈspɪrəsi/
a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
friendshipsnounUS /ˈfrendʃɪps/
plural of “friendship” — the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
GoringnounUS /ˈɡɔːrɪŋ/
German politician in Nazi Germany who founded the Gestapo and mobilized Germany for war (1893-1946)
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
grossadjectiveUS /ɡroʊs/
before any deductions
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
the quality of being humane
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
idioticadjectiveUS /ˌɪdiˈɑːtɪk/
insanely irresponsible
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
an occurrence of something
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
LACRIMA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
layersnounUS /ˈleɪərz/
plural of “layer” — single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
Leerd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
a form of address for a man
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
officialsnounUS /əˈfɪʃəlz/
plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
philosophersnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfərz/
plural of “philosopher” — a specialist in philosophy
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
pleasanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
Poor-Law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
rabbitsnounUS /ˈræbəts/
plural of “rabbit” — any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
round-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
texturenounUS /ˈtekstʃər/
the feel of a surface or a fabric
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Between Mr. Goring and Bert Leerd there existed one of those inexplicable friendships, which so often, to the bewilderment of moral philosophers, bring a twilight of humanity into the most sinister mental caves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LACRIMA Mr. John Goring was feeding his rabbits.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the gross texture of his clayish nature there were one or two curious layers of a pleasanter material.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
which person or people
From this reading The farmer had saved this youth from a conspiracy of Poor-Law officials who were on the point of consigning him to an asylum.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading One of these, for instance, was now shown in the friendly equanimity with which he permitted a round-headed awkward youth, more than half idiotic, to assist him at this innocent task.
