used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
BALCOMB'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
constructingverbUS /kənˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
Dameron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
eventless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
EzranounUS /ˈezrə/
a Jewish priest and scribe sent by the Persian king to restore Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
gambler'snounUS /ˈɡæmblərz/
possessive form of “gambler” — a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
gyves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
quickeradverbUS /ˈkwɪkər/
more quickly
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading BALCOMB’S EASY CONSCIENCE Ezra Dameron had never been happier than during this summer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But since the gambler’s passion had fixed its gyves upon him he had become a changed being.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He walked with a quicker step; his drooping shoulders grew erect; he was a new man, living in a new paradise that folly was constructing for him.
a late time of life
From this reading His life had run for years an eventless course; his interests had been small and he had been content to have them so.
