used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
assertionnounUS /əˈsɜːrʃən/
a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
approval
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
dazedadjectiveUS /deɪzd/
in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
From this reading For my start I was simply dazed.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
defendedverbUS /dɪˈfendəd/
past form of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
desertionnounUS /dɪˈzɜːrʃən/
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
disloyaladjectiveUS /dɪˈslɔɪəl/
showing lack of love for your country
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For my start I was simply dazed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
the force of workers available
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
minoritynounUS /maɪˈnɔːrəti/
a group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group of which it is a part
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For my start I was simply dazed.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
as might be expected
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
Nickerson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
like better; value more highly
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
on the contrary
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
and nothing more
From this reading For my start I was simply dazed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
sometimeadverbUS /ˈsʌmtaɪm/
at some indefinite or unstated time
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For my start I was simply dazed.
stoutlyadverbUS /ˈstaʊtli/
in a resolute manner
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
theoriesnounUS /ˈθɪriz/
plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The desertion of Lieutenant Nickerson was the subject of many ugly remarks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But these were in a minority, and naturally so; for men will prefer to believe what they see, rather than theories or explanations.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A few asserted that they had suspicions from their first acquaintance with him that he was disloyal; but this assertion was not backed by any evidence to justify it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Others stoutly defended him by declaring that, while his desertion was a mystery, it would be explained sometime to his credit.
