used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
adversarynounUS /ˈædvərseri/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
boutnounUS /baʊt/
(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
bruisernoun
a large and strong and heavyset man
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
put or send forth
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
discardingverbUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “discard” — throw or cast away
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
doubletnoun
a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
communicated in words
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
fisticuffsnounUS /ˈfɪstɪkʌfs/
a fight with bare fists
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
Gervase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
moldnounUS /moʊld/
the distinctive form in which a thing is made
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
never-failing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
robustadjectiveUS /roʊˈbʌst/
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
uttered with a trill
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
shirt-sleeves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gervase followed the example of his adversary by discarding his doublet and rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
slighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
in the near future
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was far slighter of build and cast in a mold altogether more delicate than the farmer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CERTAINLY the farmer had the look of a bruiser.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A number of the farm hands soon came up, attracted by the never-failing charms of a bout of fisticuffs.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Moreover he had a robust confidence in his own powers, and this was expressed by the grin of satisfaction upon his face.
