used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
any person at all
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was broad daylight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was broad daylight.
characterized by great determination
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
exploitverbUS /ˈeksplɔɪt/
use or manipulate to one's advantage
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was broad daylight.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was broad daylight.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
immediately past
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was broad daylight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
projectverbUS /ˈprɑːdʒekt/
communicate vividly
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
on the contrary
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I jumped out of bed, said my prayers, and dressed as fast as I could.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having come to this conclusion, I at last fell asleep.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
at the time that
From this reading When I opened my eyes the next morning, it was broad daylight.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading My plan was to get up early the next morning without making any noise; to go downstairs and into the garden before anyone was about, for I did not wish people to witness my exploit.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I was determined to try if I could not carry my project out with courage and success; but I could not be quite sure how matters would turn out, so I would rather have my first battle over without a witness.
