used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
anew
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
Cruz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
friendlinessnounUS /ˈfrendlinɪs/
a feeling of liking for another person; enjoyment in their company
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
INSULTnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
MedinanounUS /məˈdaɪnə/
a city in western Saudi Arabia; site of the tomb of Muhammad; the second most holy city of Islam
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
come together
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
MexiconounUS /ˈmeksəkoʊ/
a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
and nothing more
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
priestsnounUS /priːsts/
plural of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
puzzleverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
Rocus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
cut with a saw
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
territoriesnounUS /ˈterətɔːriz/
plural of “territory” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading This, as I took it, was intended on his part as a precaution against suspicion of his friendliness.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The same day I called upon Father Rocus, as I had promised, but saw him only for a few minutes and in the presence of two other priests.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
Vera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
ViceroynounUS /ˈvaɪsrɔɪ/
governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the meantime the Lieutenant and I were astonished to receive the report that an American officer had arrived in Vera Cruz some weeks since, and had been permitted to start for the City of Mexico.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading What could be his mission and why the Viceroy should allow him to travel through the midst of his territories was a puzzle we tried in vain to solve.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE INSULT As chance would have it, Medina and I did not again meet for four or five days.
