used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
(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 They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
complaintsnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnts/
plural of “complaint” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
departmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
at any time
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
to an extreme degree
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
heartlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtləs/
lacking in feeling or pity or warmth
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
used to form the superlative
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
motionedverbUS /ˈmoʊʃənd/
past form of “motion” — show, express or direct through movement
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
not one, and not any
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
poverty-strickenadjective
poor enough to need help from others
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
in the near future
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
shrugnounUS /ʃrʌɡ/
a gesture involving the shoulders
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
express in speech
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
starvedadjectiveUS /stɑːrvd/
suffering from lack of food
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
a state of acute pain
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading He was motioned to arise, and as he did so his pistol was taken from him, and presently his hands were fastened tightly behind his back.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
villanous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
volublyadverb
in a chatty manner
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading None of them could speak English, and several talked volubly in Spanish, at which Walter could do nothing but shake his head and shrug his shoulders.
which person or people
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
wildsnounUS /waɪldz/
plural of “wild” — a wild primitive state untouched by civilization
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
a late time of life
From this reading Their clothing was in rags, for they had been in the wilds of the island, thousands of miles from home, for nearly two years, and a heartless, or poverty-stricken, military department had failed to supply them with what they absolutely needed.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading They were all short, thin, and exceedingly yellow, as though suffering from tropical complaints, and looked more than half starved.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading IN A SPANISH PRISON The Spaniards who had taken Walter a prisoner were the most villanous the youth had ever beheld.
