used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
(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 Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
BobbynounUS /ˈbɑːbi/
an informal term for a British policeman
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
the two together, not just one
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
CorporationnounUS /ˌkɔːrpərˈeɪʃən/
a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
embitteredverbUS /emˈbɪtərd/
past form of “embitter” — cause to be bitter or resentful
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
ErosnounUS /ˈɪrɑːs/
(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
divisible by two
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
foreseeverbUS /fɔːrˈsiː/
realize beforehand
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
and nothing more
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
and nothing more
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
OresnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “ore” — a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
outsmartverbUS /ˈaʊtsmɑːrt/
beat through cleverness and wit
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
PopverbUS /pɑːp/
bulge outward
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
rivalsnounUS /ˈraɪvəlz/
plural of “rival” — the contestant you hope to defeat
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
Solomonproper nounUS /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/
A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
straighteradjectiveUS /ˈstreɪtər/
comparative of “straight” — successive (without a break)
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
unscrupulousadjectiveUS /ənˈskruːpjələs/
without scruples or principles
From this reading One had to outsmart the other--and both had to win over the unscrupulous United Ores Corporation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading Two families fought for the title to Eros, and only one could win.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading It was a problem worthy of a Solomon--and it had an ending even those embittered rivals could not foresee.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter.
