used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RUFFIAN FOILED.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
dauntedadjectiveUS /ˈdɔːntɪd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
FOILEDadjectiveUS /fɔɪld/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading A RUFFIAN FOILED.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
indicativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv/
relating to the mood of verbs that is used simple in declarative statements
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
menacingadjectiveUS /ˈmenəsɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
parleynounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
by chance
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
provisionsnounUS /prəˈvɪʒənz/
a stock or supply of foods
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
retreatednounUS /riˈtriːtəd/
people who have retreated
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
RUFFIANnoun
a cruel and brutal fellow
From this reading A RUFFIAN FOILED.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
starvationnounUS /stɑːrˈveɪʃən/
a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
surrenderedverbUS /sərˈendərd/
past form of “surrender” — give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Holding the basket in his hand, Harry retreated behind a tree, and began to parley.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Harry and Jack were brave boys, and not easily daunted, but the attitude of the stranger was so menacing, and his frame so indicative of strength, that they were both alarmed.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had their need of the provisions been less urgent they would have surrendered them without a struggle, but they felt that it was a question possibly of continued life or starvation, and this inspired them to resistance.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You are asking too much," he said.
