used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE SITUATION.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
the two together, not just one
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
CRUSOE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE SITUATION.
curtainedadjective
furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
take in solid food
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
one or the other of two
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
groundlessadjectiveUS /ˈɡraʊndləs/
without a basis in reason or fact
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
temporary military shelter
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
a particular point in time
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
ROBINSONnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE SITUATION.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE SITUATION.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He hoped they would give him something to eat, and at the same time feared they might kill him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
ToddnounUS /tɑːd/
Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But a single glance showed him that for the moment both his fears and his hopes were groundless.
at the time that
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading When Todd reached the curtained doorway of the hut and looked out, he could not have told whether he was more disappointed or relieved by the sight that greeted him.
which person or people
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had fully expected to see human beings who would either prove friends or foes.
