used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
(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 And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading He might have anticipated that it would be badly written.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading He might have anticipated that it would be badly written.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
BraceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
Brace'snounUS /ˈbreɪsɪz/
possessive form of “brace” — a support that steadies or strengthens something else
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
a person who is in charge
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He might have anticipated that it would be badly written.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He might have anticipated that it would be badly written.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
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 And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
immediately past
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
not any; not one
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
by chance
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
puzzlingadjectiveUS /ˈpʌzəlɪŋ/
not clear to the understanding
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
restoreverbUS /rɪˈstɔːr/
return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communication from some friendly chief.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
up to a particular time
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
precisely as stated
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And all the time I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, for an effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me and restore me to my friends.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brain began to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I went back to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He might have anticipated that it would be badly written.
produce a literary work
From this reading That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolish it seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message!
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading He might have anticipated that it would be badly written.
