used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
ANTELOPEnounUS /ˈæntəloʊp/
graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks
From this reading AT ANTELOPE SPRING.
any thing at all
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
on or to one side
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT ANTELOPE SPRING.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
behaviornounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
destroyed or killed
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
the force of workers available
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
absolutely essential
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
the season of growth
From this reading AT ANTELOPE SPRING.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dick was perplexed by the behavior of these two strangers.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
at the time that
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
whicheverdeterminerUS /wɪˈtʃevər/
any one of a set, it does not matter which
From this reading The discussion, or conversation, whichever it may have been, did not occupy many moments; but brief as was the time, Dick had turned to continue his journey at the instant when the men rejoined him.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He failed utterly to understand why they should have anything of such a private nature to discuss that it was necessary to move aside from him; for in a few moments they would be alone on the desert, after he had gone his way.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What do you allow you ought to get for that rifle?"
