used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
for the reason that
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
chasednounUS /tʃeɪst/
a person who is being chased
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
chasingverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “chase” — go after with the intent to catch
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PLEADING FOR LIBERTY.
forty-eightadjective
being eight more than forty
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
guaranteeverbUS /ˌɡerənˈtiː/
give surety or assume responsibility
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
and nothing more
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
immediately past
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading PLEADING FOR LIBERTY.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
a particular point in time
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
PLEADINGnounUS /ˈpliːdɪŋ/
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
From this reading PLEADING FOR LIBERTY.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
recoverynounUS /rɪˈkʌvri/
return to an original state
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But to be deprived of his liberty now, when every moment was precious, seemed to be doubly disastrous.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
and nothing more
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
at the time that
From this reading This arrest, coming just when it did, was a complete surprise to George.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading To be prevented from chasing the thieves when he was at last on the track of them, was to lose his horses beyond any probable chance of recovery, while to have forty-eight hours of liberty just then, was, as he thought, almost a guarantee that he could recover his stolen team.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had hoped a few hours before that it would come, in order that he might have an opportunity of showing that he was innocent of that which was charged against him, simply because his team had been the one the officers had chased.
