used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
betrayalnounUS /bɪˈtreɪ.əl/
The action of betraying one's country, a group, or a person; breach of trust.
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
ill-will
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
a narrow way or road
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
law-breakingnoun
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
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 Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
Margeret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
on one occasion
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
SamuelnounUS /ˈsæmjuːl/
(Old Testament) Hebrew prophet and judge who anointed Saul as king
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
SCHOOLHOUSEnounUS /ˈskuːlhaʊs/
a building where young people receive education
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
shoemakernounUS /ˈʃuːmeɪkər/
a person who makes or repairs shoes
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
SimonnounUS /ˈsaɪmən/
one of the twelve Apostles (first century)
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
Skerry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
slow-dragging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
express in speech
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
spyingnounUS /ˈspaɪɪŋ/
keeping a secret or furtive watch
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
not in physical motion
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SCHOOLHOUSE LANE For once it seemed that Master Simon was mistaken.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Margeret was so certain that she had seen him spying upon them and so equally certain of his ill-will toward her father that she felt, for many slow-dragging, anxious weeks, that any day might bring his betrayal of their law-breaking.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It may have been that Samuel Skerry was really ignorant of what had occurred that early morning in the garden or it may have been that he had seen, and for some reason held his peace.
WhicheverdeterminerUS /wɪˈtʃevər/
any one of a set, it does not matter which
From this reading Whichever was the truth, the matter remained long a mystery.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading She waited a month, six months; then a year went by and another and another, but still the shoemaker did not speak.
