used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A METAMORPHOSIS.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
beneficialadjectiveUS /ˌbenəˈfɪʃəl/
promoting or enhancing well-being
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
flatteredverbUS /ˈflætərd/
past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
fumesnounUS /fjuːmz/
gases ejected from an engine as waste products
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
not in action or at work
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
impregnableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpreɡnəbəl/
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
indoorsadverbUS /ˈɪndɔːrz/
within a building
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
METAMORPHOSISnounUS /ˌmet.əˈmɔːr.fə.sɪs/
A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one.
From this reading A METAMORPHOSIS.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
Seaworth's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
shelterless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
stone-throwing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The knowledge of such imminent danger had a beneficial effect upon the solitary occupant of Captain Seaworth’s house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
weakeradjectiveUS /ˈwiːkər/
comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It cleared the fumes of liquor from his brain, as it were, and left him weaker in body, but mentally better able to comprehend his exact position.
which person or people
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading It was hardly probable the building would withstand another attack, and he who had flattered himself that he was safe as long as he remained indoors understood how shelterless he would be after four or five hours more of stone-throwing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Until this night Philip had fancied that the dwelling would serve him as an impregnable fort; but the result of the first day’s battle showed how idle was such belief.
