used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
in addition
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
CAMPAIGNnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
rid of obstructions
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
Constable's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
deucenounUS /duːs/
a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
discomfiturenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
espousedverbUS /ɪˈspaʊzd/
past form of “espouse” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
a social unit living together
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
Fitz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
only a very short time before
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
joined in matrimony
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
much-injured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
not any; not one
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
placiditynoun
a feeling of calmness; a quiet and undisturbed feeling
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
PREPARATIONSnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
qualmsnounUS /kwɑːmz/
plural of “qualm” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading I also, "a married man, a father of a family, and a county member," began to have qualms.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
dependable
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
a special situation
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN One thing was perfectly clear; we were pretty well in a cleft stick.
which person or people
From this reading "Three other stout fellows," said Fitz, "who are not afraid of a tight place and who can be trusted with a revolver, are almost a necessity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
withholdverbUS /wɪθˈhoʊld/
hold back; refuse to hand over or share
From this reading So heartily had we espoused the cause of a much-injured man, that to withhold practical assistance, now it was needed so sorely, was hardly possible.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there could be no doubt that discomfiture and perplexity were beginning to play the deuce with the Chief Constable's official placidity.
