used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
consider or hold as true
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
allayverbUS /əˈleɪ/
lessen the intensity of or calm
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
a young person of either sex
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
continuesverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːz/
third-person singular of “continue” — continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
at any time
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
a social unit living together
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
and nothing more
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
KetteringnounUS /ˈketərɪŋ/
United States electrical engineer who made numerous automotive improvements (including the electric starter) (1876-1958)
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
the literary culture
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
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 His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
a brief written record
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbstənət/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
postagenounUS /ˈpoʊstədʒ/
the charge for mailing something
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
prevailverbUS /prɪˈveɪl/
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
shillingsnounUS /ˈʃɪlɪŋz/
plural of “shilling” — the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/
being ten more than fifty
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
not in physical motion
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though in his reply to Helen he promised to accept her money in case of need, he could not prevail on himself to begin just then.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His instinct was against that course as strongly as ever, and he was precisely like a proud, obstinate child that continues in its fixed attitude long after being convinced.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were still five shillings in his pocket--enough to pay the postage on sixty letters, he grimly reflected.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading He gave her an account of the Kettering family in as gay a note as he could strike from his leaden mood, for he wished to allay her anxiety about him.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He had read in her letter far more than the mere words; her heart beat through every line.
