used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
(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 would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
Brimfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
brown-bearded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
dashingadjectiveUS /ˈdæʃɪŋ/
lively and spirited
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
GlennounUS /ɡlen/
a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
Hobart's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
ignominiousadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡnəˈmɪniəs/
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
immediately past
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
a particular point in time
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a form of address for a man
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
being perceived or observed
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
possessing sweep
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
precisely as stated
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Like a great surging wave, the thought of an ignominious return to Brimfield, and a picture of the mill and the store as he had last seen them, swept over the boy's mind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He would have known that his brown-bearded friend could not smile while dashing his high hopes, and that there must be something pleasant back of it all.
which person or people
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
the words that are spoken
From this reading But as the engineer, who could not resist the temptation to try the effects of a disappointment on the boy's temper, turned away his face at that moment, his words were heard, while the smile was not noticed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If Glen had detected that smile on Mr. Hobart's face, he would have been spared a few moments of very unhappy reflections.
