used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DUTY PERFORMED.
AaronnounUS /ˈerən/
United States professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934)
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
(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 This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
the act of discovering something
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A DUTY PERFORMED.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
yet to be or coming
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
MossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
PERFORMEDverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading A DUTY PERFORMED.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
precipitateverbUS /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
bring about abruptly
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
repentedverbUS /rɪˈpentɪd/
past form of “repent” — turn away from sin or do penitence
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
unbalancedadjectiveUS /ənˈbælənst/
being or thrown out of equilibrium
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
vacillationnounUS /ˌvæsəˈleɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This vacillation was a proof of the effect recent events had had upon his mind; it was really unbalanced; the prompt decision of all matters, whether great or small, which presented themselves for consideration, seemed to have deserted him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That it would have to be made eventually was certain; truth and justice demanded it, and the claim should be met, but not to-day, not until other plans with respect to his future were settled.
but in spite of that
From this reading He felt that he could not depend upon himself in the promised interview with Ruth, and that he might precipitate a discovery, the proper time for which, he believed, had not yet arrived.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Before Mr. Moss rejoined him, Aaron had repented of his promise to call and see the young couple in the evening.
