used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
divisible by two
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
at any time
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
KennedynounUS /ˈkenədi/
35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
LeftynounUS /ˈlefti/
a person who uses the left hand with greater skill than the right
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
LockenounUS /lɑːk/
English empiricist philosopher who believed that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience (1632-1704)
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
the force of workers available
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
in motion
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
not any; not one
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Even Kennedy, having no power, could do little more than offer advice.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
reporternounUS /rɪˈpɔːrtər/
a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
only a very short time before
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
for a short time
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
having a supporting base
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
Stillman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The difficulties and problems of his own position seemed greater than ever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
TiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
unaidedadjectiveUS /əˈneɪdɪd/
carried out without aid or assistance
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For Lefty now felt that, in a way, he was standing alone.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading NOT MUCH SHOW Tired out, Janet went to bed shortly after Stillman left, but Locke, knowing he could not sleep, sat up to think the situation over.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If the plot was as deep and intricate as the reporter believed, and if the men behind it were moving with haste and certainty to the accomplishment of their designs, there seemed scarcely a ghost of a chance for him, practically alone and unaided, to block them.
