used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
(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 A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
Cosgrove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend.
identifyverbUS /aɪˈdentəfaɪ/
recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
a small worthless amount
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
not one, and not any
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
OCCURRENCEnounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
on one occasion
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading "What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
Identical; not different.
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
required or under orders
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As he started forward, he instinctively glanced down in quest of evidence that Fred had passed there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had not expected any such reply, and he was eager to learn the cause.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A STARTLING OCCURRENCE As may be supposed, Jack Cosgrove was all excitement on the instant.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is it?" he asked, as he reached his friend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was none so far as he could see, and, if there had been, it is not likely he would have been able to identify it, since all the party had been over the same spot, and some of them more than once.
