used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Dilemma.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
the state of being absent
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
(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 Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
detectionnounUS /dɪˈtekʃən/
the perception that something has occurred or some state exists
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
DilemmanounUS /dɪˈlemə/
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
From this reading A Dilemma.
dinner-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
dinner-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
disinclinedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsɪnˈklaɪnd/
unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
ForesternounUS /ˈfɔːrəstər/
English writer of adventure novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower (1899-1966)
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
Marco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet it was not punishment that Marco was afraid of.
Marco's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And yet it was not punishment that Marco was afraid of.
being perceived or observed
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
the act of punishing
From this reading And yet it was not punishment that Marco was afraid of.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
express in speech
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
up to a particular time
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
truancynounUS /ˈtruːənsi/
failure to attend (especially school)
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading He kept out of sight till the dinner-bell rang, and then he was almost afraid to go in, for fear that, by some accident or other, his uncle might have noticed his absence, and might ask him something about it.
under normal conditions
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Though Marco's first feeling was that of relief, to find that he had got back from his truancy without detection, he felt, after all, ill at ease.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He was usually much interested at dinner-time in talking with Forester about plans for the afternoon; but now he felt guilty and afraid, and he was disinclined to look his uncle or his cousin in the face, or to speak a word.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet it was not punishment that Marco was afraid of.
