used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
achievedverbUS /əˈtʃiːvd/
past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
auntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
for the reason that
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
birthplacenounUS /ˈbɜːrθpleɪs/
the place where someone was born
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
uttered without voice
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
calfnounUS /kæf/
young of domestic cattle
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
rid of obstructions
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
the act of departing
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
fatted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
hostilitynounUS /hɑːˈstɪləti/
a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
a course of conduct
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
preliminaryadjectiveUS /prɪˈlɪməneri/
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
PrimarilyadverbUS /praɪˈmerəli/
for the most part
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
prodigalnounUS /ˈprɑːdɪɡəl/
a recklessly extravagant consumer
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
rucknounUS /rʌk/
a crowd especially of ordinary or undistinguished persons or things
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
a male human offspring
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
spinsternounUS /ˈspɪnstər/
an elderly unmarried woman
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their reply had breathed an open disappointment, almost hostility, at his departure from the chosen path.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
TorontonounUS /tərˈɑːntoʊ/
the provincial capital and largest city in Ontario (and the largest city in Canada)
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He did not go to see them at first, for two reasons.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
at the time that
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE LAST BRIDGE Thompson received his preliminary training in a camp not greatly distant from his birthplace and the suburban Toronto home where the spinster aunts still lived.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They made it clear that in their eyes he was a prodigal son for whom there would never be any fatted calf.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Primarily, because he had written them a full and frank account of himself when he got out of the ruck and achieved success in San Francisco.
