used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
cagedverbUS /keɪdʒd/
past form of “cage” — confine in a cage
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not remember that Eleanor might be unhappy.
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not remember that Eleanor might be unhappy.
EXPLANATIONSnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
of the present time and place
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
an instinctive motive
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He did not remember that Eleanor might be unhappy.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
rebellionnounUS /rɪˈbeljən/
refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
To recall to mind.
From this reading He did not remember that Eleanor might be unhappy.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
roamedverbUS /roʊmd/
past form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
in the near future
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading An impulse to immediate rebellion soon spent itself.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did not remember that Eleanor might be unhappy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FURTHER EXPLANATIONS For three days Richard roamed like a caged creature from room to room.
unconsideredadjective
without proper consideration or reflection
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading He did not remember that Eleanor might be unhappy.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would wait, he could afford to wait for three days, reckless and unconsidered and foolish as his promise had been.
but in spite of that
From this reading His intentions had not changed, his position was not to be receded from, but the necessity for a new step was not yet pressing.
