used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
BUTLERnounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
Butler'snounUS /ˈbʌtlərz/
possessive form of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
compassionnounUS /kəmˈpæʃən/
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
corroboratedverbUS /kərˈɑːbəreɪtɪd/
past form of “corroborate” — establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
a female human offspring
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
dischargeverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
complete or carry out
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
psychological suffering
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
distrustnounUS /dɪˈstrʌst/
doubt about someone's honesty
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
a boy or man
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
GalbraithnounUS /ˈɡælbreɪθ/
United States economist (born in Canada) who served as ambassador to India (born in 1908)
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
GLEAMverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
imbuedverbUS /ˌɪmˈbjuːd/
past form of “imbue” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
Macdonald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
Musgrove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
officer'snounUS /ˈɔːfɪsərz/
possessive form of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
peace-maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
prepossessions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
not in physical motion
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
stroveverbUS /stroʊv/
inflected form of “strive” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
sufferingsnounUS /ˈsʌfərɪŋz/
plural of “suffering” — a state of acute pain
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
the rays of the sun
From this reading BUTLER FINDS A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE IN HIS DISTRESS.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
welfarenounUS /ˈwelfer/
governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need
From this reading The old man took the earliest opportunity to indicate to Butler the concern he felt in his welfare.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
which person or people
From this reading His expressions of sympathy were regarded, by Macdonald, as the natural sentiments of a religious mind imbued with an habitual compassion for the sufferings of a fellow creature, and of one who strove to discharge the duties of a peace-maker.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Allen Musgrove had heard enough of Butler's history from his daughter and from Galbraith Robinson, to feel a warm interest in that officer's safety; and now his personal acquaintance with the prisoner still further corroborated his first prepossessions.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading From the moderate and kindly tone of his own character, he was enabled to do this without drawing upon himself the distrust of the officer of the guard.
