used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
assentnounUS /əˈsent/
agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
the lower side of anything
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
corporalnounUS /ˈkɔːrpərəl/
a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
Gurn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
Gurn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
set down according to a plan
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
capable of happening or existing
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
promotedverbUS /prəˈmoʊtɪd/
past form of “promote” — contribute to the progress or growth of
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Gurn dropped his eyes and did not reply.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
sergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
make steady
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A sudden compassion for his prisoner seized the old man, and he laid a kindly hand on Gurn's shoulder.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
in or at that place or location
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
TransvaalnounUS /trænzˈvɑːl/
a province of northeastern South Africa originally inhabited by Africans who spoke Bantu; colonized by the Boers
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
which person or people
From this reading "Is it really possible that an old soldier like you, who seem to be such a steady, serious, kind of man, can have committed such a crime?"
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "I suppose there was a woman at the bottom of it?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "By the way, I heard you were promoted sergeant out in the Transvaal: is that so?" and as Gurn nodded assent, he went on: "I never rose above the rank of corporal, but at any rate I have always led an honest life."
