used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
day-dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
someone who is a detective
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
emanating from God
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
enactedverbUS /eˈnæktəd/
past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/
past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
divisible by two
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
farcenounUS /fɑːrs/
a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
finalenounUS /fəˈnæli/
the closing section of a musical composition
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
GUYnounUS /ɡaɪ/
an informal term for a youth or man
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
hobbledverbUS /ˈhɑːbəld/
past form of “hobble” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/
clear or deep perception of a situation
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
insultnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
and nothing more
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
Manuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
melodramanounUS /ˈmelədrɑːmə/
an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
OPTIMISTICadjectiveUS /ˌɑːptəˈmɪstɪk/
expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
ricked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
ruefullyadverbUS /ˈruːfəli/
in a rueful manner
From this reading He could not keep from laughing ruefully at the difference between it and the one of his day-dreams.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
be seated
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
carry out
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "AN OPTIMISTIC GUY" Dick Gordon hobbled up the road, quite unaware for some time that he had a ricked knee.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Don Manuel was not the man to sit down under such an insult as he had endured, even though he had brought it upon himself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
WesternernounUS /ˈwestərnər/
an inhabitant of a western area; especially of the U.S.
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was too much of a Westerner not to see the humor of the comedy in which he had been forced to take a leading part, but he had insight enough to divine that it was much more likely to prove melodrama than farce.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His thoughts were busy with the finale that had just been enacted.
