used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
BrooksnounUS /brʊks/
United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
clock-golf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
Colonial'snounUS /kəˈloʊniəlz/
possessive form of “colonial” — a resident of a colony
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
criticallyadverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəli/
in a critical manner
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
cruiseverbUS /kruːz/
drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
Eaton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
a social unit living together
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
the force of workers available
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
nooknounUS /nʊk/
a sheltered and secluded place
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
piazzanounUS /piˈæzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
puttverbUS /pʌt/
strike (a golf ball) lightly, with a putter
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
RÔLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
express in words
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
Spanish-Americans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
a source of difficulty
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
precisely as stated
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
WalesnounUS /weɪlz/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dr. Eaton was playing clock-golf on the lawn with a group of men.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading "Then," said Madeline, watching him critically, as he made a brilliant putt into the cup from the very edge of the green, "I should say that the trouble is not with the novel, but with the hero.
water'snounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
possessive form of “water” — binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girls were sitting on the Colonial's piazza after breakfast, their chairs drawn into a confidential circle in a retired nook close to the water's edge.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Farther back Mr. and Mrs. Wales and Miss Hale were talking with a family of Spanish-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Wales had met at almost every stop they had made in their West Indian cruise.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A RÔLE FOR THE HERO "The trouble with this novel," said Mary Brooks, "is that the hero can't seem to get any chance."
