used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading He repeated the word to himself a thousand times to deaden his suspense and apprehension.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
have
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
bloodshednounUS /ˈblʌdʃed/
the shedding of blood resulting in murder
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
bravedverbUS /breɪvd/
past form of “brave” — face and withstand with courage
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
compunctionnounUS /kəmˈpʌŋkʃən/
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
deadenverbUS /ˈdedən/
make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible
From this reading He repeated the word to himself a thousand times to deaden his suspense and apprehension.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
set up or found
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
an instinctive motive
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
insurmountableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbəl/
not capable of being surmounted or overcome
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
involveverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlv/
connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
kinspeople
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
lawlessnessnounUS /ˈlɔːləsnəs/
a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
the force of workers available
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
Nan'snounUS /nænz/
possessive form of “nan” — your grandmother
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
OMINOUSadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading "Patience."
a future prospect or potential
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
recurring again and again
From this reading He repeated the word to himself a thousand times to deaden his suspense and apprehension.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
carry out
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading He repeated the word to himself a thousand times to deaden his suspense and apprehension.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He repeated the word to himself a thousand times to deaden his suspense and apprehension.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
precisely as stated
From this reading AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
warred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
(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 AN OMINOUS MESSAGE Few men bear suspense well; de Spain took his turn at it very hard.
belonging to which person
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Every impulse to take the bit in his teeth was met with the same insurmountable obstacle--Nan's feelings--and the unpleasant possibility that might involve him in bloodshed with her kinspeople.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For the first time in his life he found himself braved by men of a type whose defiance he despised--whose lawlessness he ordinarily warred on without compunction--but himself without the freedom that had always been his to act.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He repeated the word to himself a thousand times to deaden his suspense and apprehension.
