used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
BALLARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
the two together, not just one
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The time had suddenly come for generous revelations.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
deceptionnounUS /dɪˈsepʃən/
a misleading falsehood
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
set up or found
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
franknessnounUS /ˈfræŋknəs/
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
gabbleverb
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading The time had suddenly come for generous revelations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
hazardousadjectiveUS /ˈhæzərdəs/
involving risk or danger
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
indictmentnounUS /ˌɪnˈdaɪtmənt/
a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
integritynounUS /ˌɪnˈteɡrəti/
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
engage in
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
ManornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
a particular point in time
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
revelationsnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “revelation” — the speech act of making something evident
From this reading The time had suddenly come for generous revelations.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The time had suddenly come for generous revelations.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time had suddenly come for generous revelations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
someone who visits
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading JACK BALLARD TAKES CHARGE On my way back to the Manor house I thought deeply of a way to make the best of the situation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His eyes, thanks to the gabble of this mischievous visitor, were now open.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That Jerry was a philosopher seemed for the moment to be a matter of little importance, for the portion of his conversation in the cabin which I had overheard was an indictment both of my teaching and my integrity.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would want to know everything and I found myself placed in the position of being obliged to choose between a frankness which would be hazardous and a deception which would be intolerable.
