used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
(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 He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading But now the prospect was suddenly altered.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Chaytor lay awake that night, brooding.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading Chaytor lay awake that night, brooding.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now the prospect was suddenly altered.
calculationsnounUS /ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “calculation” — the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
Chaytor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chaytor lay awake that night, brooding.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
cunningadjectiveUS /ˈkʌnɪŋ/
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
cupiditynounUS /kjuːˈpɪdɪti/
extreme greed for material wealth
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
dilemmanounUS /dɪˈlemə/
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
at any time
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
set up or found
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
coins made of gold
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
goldfieldsnounUS /ˈɡoʊldfiːldz/
small slender woolly annual with very narrow opposite leaves and branches bearing solitary golden-yellow flower heads; southwestern Oregon to Baja California and Arizona; often cultivated
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
ill-luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Chaytor lay awake that night, brooding.
maturedadjectiveUS /məˈtjʊrd/
fully ripe; at the height of bloom
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
come together
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Chaytor lay awake that night, brooding.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now the prospect was suddenly altered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
win a victory over
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
the possibility of future success
From this reading But now the prospect was suddenly altered.
a person who is being chased
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
cut with a saw
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But now the prospect was suddenly altered.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Chaytor lay awake that night, brooding.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
precisely as stated
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He found himself on the horns of a dilemma, and all the cunning of his nature was needed to meet the difficulty and overcome it successfully.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Gold floated before his eyes; he saw the stuff in the claim they were working more thickly studded than ever with the precious metal; extravagant as were the calculations which Basil had worked out they were not too extravagant for his imagination, and certainly not sufficiently extravagant for his cupidity.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The scheme he had laid, and very nearly matured, had been formed and carried out in the expectation that the run of ill-luck which had pursued him on the goldfields would continue.
