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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 in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
BITS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POWYS’S BITS OF PAPER.
boldly
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From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
Brownlow
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From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
called
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From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
calmly
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From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
confused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
detail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
directest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
doing
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From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
excitement
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From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
incapable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
inspiration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
intense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
intentions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
madness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
marching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading POWYS’S BITS OF PAPER.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
overwhelming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
PAPER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POWYS’S BITS OF PAPER.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
Powys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
POWYS'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading POWYS’S BITS OF PAPER.
premeditated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
prompt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
proposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
somehow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
states
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
swayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have explained why nor told what it was he proposed to himself; in short, he had in his own mind proposed nothing to himself.
wildly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was swayed only by a vague, intense, and overwhelming necessity to have the matter before him set straight somehow, and, confused as his own mind was, and little as he knew of his own intentions, he yet went on, as by the directest inspiration, marching boldly, calmly, yet wildly, in a kind of serious madness, into the darkness of this unknown way.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He was in one of those strange states of mental excitement in which a man is at once confused and clear; incapable of seeing before him what he is about to do, yet as prompt and distinct in the doing of it as if it had been premeditated to the last detail.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brownlow, perhaps, did not know very well what he meant when he called young Powys into his room.
