used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
brieflyadverbUS /ˈbriːfli/
for a short time
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
EaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
FORLORNadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading THE FORLORN HOPE.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
the act of giving
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading THE FORLORN HOPE.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
and nothing more
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
immediately past
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
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 He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
MacenounUS /meɪs/
(trademark) a liquid that temporarily disables a person; prepared as an aerosol and sprayed in the face, it irritates the eyes and causes dizziness and immobilization
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
necessitateverbUS /nəˈsesəteɪt/
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
pursuersnounUS /pərˈsuːərz/
plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
ScarredadjectiveUS /skɑːrd/
deeply affected or marked by mental or physical pain or injury
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
successive (without a break)
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FORLORN HOPE.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes.
at the time that
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
but in spite of that
From this reading When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light.
