used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
(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 However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
animal'snounUS /ˈænəməlz/
possessive form of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading James had considerable experience with, horses.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading James had considerable experience with, horses.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading James had considerable experience with, horses.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading James had considerable experience with, horses.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
insensateadjective
devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
From this reading It is at once sensate and insensate.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is at once sensate and insensate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading James had considerable experience with, horses.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
mare'snounUS /merz/
possessive form of “mare” — female equine animal
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
obstinacynounUS /ˈɑːbstənəsi/
the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
on one occasion
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
on the contrary
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
sensateadjective
having physical sensation
From this reading It is at once sensate and insensate.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
required or under orders
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
arousing affect
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
unreasoningadjectiveUS /ənˈriːznɪŋ/
not based on reason or evidence
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
unrelentingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnriˈlentɪŋ/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knew at once that it was probably a hopeless undertaking to change the mare's mind, or rather her obstinacy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading However, he tried the usual methods, touching with the whip, getting out and attempting to lead, but they were all, as he had supposed from the first, in vain.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A terrible sense of being up against fate itself seized him: an animal's will unreasoning, unrelenting, bears, in fact, the aspect of fate itself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading James had considerable experience with, horses.
