used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
(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 _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
BaldwinnounUS /ˈbɔːldwən/
United States author who was an outspoken critic of racism (1924-1987)
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
captivenounUS /ˈkæptɪv/
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
Ellicott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
the act of escaping physically
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading He was in a fury.
obtain
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
a young female
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
destroyed or killed
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was in a fury.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was in a fury.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
Lettice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
Lettice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
the force of workers available
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
a particular point in time
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
not one thing; not anything
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
be standing; be upright
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
stratagemnounUS /ˈstrætədʒəm/
a maneuver in a game or conversation
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading One sweep of his sword, one shot from his pistol, and their chances were gone.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
vileadjectiveUS /vaɪl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It took but a few minutes for Lettice’s captive to free himself, and his first movement was toward the girl.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
which person or people
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Ellicott Baldwin, between his set teeth, hissed, “I will kill her and myself, too, before she shall fall into their vile hands.”
worstednounUS /ˈwɜːrstɪd/
a woolen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns "he wore a worsted suit"
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading _Escape._ Lettice ran desperately fast to gain her horse, but for a moment it seemed that all were lost, for the sound of oars had ceased, and instead, shouts were heard; an approaching party of men answered their comrades, who, worsted by a girl’s stratagem, would stand at nothing.
