used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
advisabilitynounUS /ˌædvaɪzəˈbɪlɪti/
the quality of being advisable
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading David had always refused to do it hitherto.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
any thing at all
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
the act of breaking something
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading David had always refused to do it hitherto.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading David had always refused to do it hitherto.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
imaginativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənətɪv/
(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading David had always refused to do it hitherto.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
obligationnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃən/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
pledgeverbUS /pledʒ/
promise solemnly and formally
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading David had always refused to do it hitherto.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading He pondered during many sleepless hours the advisability of having David sign the pledge.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
superstitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
a special situation
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
verbaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrbəl/
communicated in the form of words
From this reading He had a keen sense of shame in breaking a verbal promise on this subject; but he had an almost superstitious feeling regarding the obligation of anything he put his name to; and this very feeling made John hesitate to press the matter.
precisely as stated
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The arrangement had been a very pleasant one, every way, but somehow John did not feel as if David had as much outside help as he needed.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young man was not imaginative; an ideal, however high, was a far less real thing to David than to old John.
