used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading ‘I am afraid we shall lose him.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading ‘I am afraid we shall lose him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
recognizable; marked
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
EdgarnounUS /ˈedɡər/
the younger brother of Edwy who became king of Northumbria when it renounced Edwy; on Edwy's death he succeeded to the throne of England (944-975)
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading ‘He is gaining on us,’ said Edgar.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘I am afraid we shall lose him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘He is gaining on us,’ said Edgar.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading ‘I am afraid we shall lose him.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
not any; not one
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘He is gaining on us,’ said Edgar.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
established beyond doubt
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘He is gaining on us,’ said Edgar.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading ‘I am afraid we shall lose him.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It proved an exciting chase they had commenced.
thiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading The thief knew he need expect no mercy if caught, and rode desperately.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘He is gaining on us,’ said Edgar.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘I am afraid we shall lose him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He knew the country better than Edgar and Will, which gave him a decided advantage; moreover, he had a good horse, probably stolen, and knew how to ride.
