used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
react verbally
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
ERNEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
guardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
only a very short time before
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
induceverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːs/
cause to arise
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
a room where books are kept
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
hear with intention
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
engage in
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
recurring again and again
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
express in speech
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
not in physical motion
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
move an implement through
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With my resolution still at the highest pitch of firmness, I knocked at the library door.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then I heard a stir in the library, and my uncle opened the door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no answer to my knock, and I repeated it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I expected a storm; it was hardly possible to avoid one; but I hoped, if I could induce my stern and silent guardian to speak or to listen, that I might make an impression upon him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH ERNEST HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH HIS UNCLE.
