used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
(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 But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/
past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
completely unclothed
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
divisible by two
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
gamblernounUS /ˈɡæmblər/
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
Hawley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
instructedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
for more time
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
the force of workers available
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
and nothing more
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
not any; not one
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
outcomenounUS /ˈaʊtkʌm/
something that results
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
over-scrupulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
overhearverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhiːr/
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
in a strange manner
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was these very arrangements for evil which now afforded opportunity, and Keith crept forward, alert and ready, his teeth clenched, his hands bare for contest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.
