used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To use it seemed to be his one chance of safety.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
deem to be
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading He was not unskilled in the use of firearms, and luckily the rifle was loaded.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading He was not unskilled in the use of firearms, and luckily the rifle was loaded.
luckilyadverbUS /ˈlʌkəli/
by good fortune
From this reading He was not unskilled in the use of firearms, and luckily the rifle was loaded.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
not any; not one
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not unskilled in the use of firearms, and luckily the rifle was loaded.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
on one occasion
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To use it seemed to be his one chance of safety.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading To use it seemed to be his one chance of safety.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To use it seemed to be his one chance of safety.
speculateverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪt/
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was not unskilled in the use of firearms, and luckily the rifle was loaded.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
unskilledadjectiveUS /ənˈskɪld/
not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency
From this reading He was not unskilled in the use of firearms, and luckily the rifle was loaded.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
the act of using
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THERE was no time or inclination on his part to speculate upon such an extraordinary appearance.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He felt that his life was in peril, and he must consider at once whether there was any chance of his saving it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was armed with a rifle, which thus far he had had no occasion to use.
