used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
deserveverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrv/
be worthy or deserving
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
disengagedverbUS /dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “disengage” — release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
in other respects or ways
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
Identical; not different.
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
a male human offspring
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading As soon as George had spoken he disengaged himself gently from his mother’s arms.
not in physical motion
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “I am not sure whether I am doing right or not, but I know I could not do otherwise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
showing sorrow
From this reading She was still weeping, but blessing him.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I don’t know, mother, whether I deserve a reward or not,” he answered, in the same strange voice in which he had first spoken.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
yieldingadjectiveUS /ˈjiːldɪŋ/
inclined to yield to argument or influence or control
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “God will reward you, my son, for this yielding to your mother!” she cried.
