used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
any thing at all
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
clewnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
characterized by great determination
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
for a limitless time
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
set up or found
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
imprisonmentnounUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
an instinctive motive
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
inevitablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbli/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
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 Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
immediately past
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
go away from a place
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
the literary culture
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
neglectverbUS /nəˈɡlekt/
leave undone or leave out
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
a brief written record
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
on one occasion
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
patriotismnounUS /ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/
love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
Père
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
ransackedadjectiveUS /ˈrænsækt/
wrongfully emptied or stripped of anything of value
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
RapernounUS /ˈreɪpər/
someone who forces another to have sexual intercourse
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
requitalnoun
a justly deserved penalty
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
try to get or reach
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far as I was concerned, my country had shown herself anything but a kind mother to me.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
Tonsurd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
undelivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
precisely as stated
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
at the time that
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
in or at the place that
From this reading Had I the very slightest clew to where “my mother” and Raper were, I should inevitably have set out to seek them; but of the track I knew nothing whatever.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I ransacked my few letters and papers, amongst which I found the yet undelivered note to the Père Tonsurd; and this I determined to present on that very day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Shall I own it that when I once more found myself at liberty, and with means sufficient for the purpose, my first thought was to leave England forever?
but in spite of that
From this reading It was an impulse of patriotism--a vague desire to serve her--had brought me to her shores; and yet my requital had been at first neglect, and at last imprisonment.
