used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
Colin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
complicatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpləkeɪtəd/
difficult to analyze or understand
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
unvarying in nature
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
convalescencenounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈlesəns/
gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
the act of departing
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
exhibitedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbətəd/
past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
Ferrers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
Gamara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
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 “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
Haigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
Hussein'snounUS /huːˈseɪnz/
possessive form of “hussein” — Iraqi leader who waged war against Iran; his invasion of Kuwait led to the Gulf War (born in 1937)
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
immediately past
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
the literary culture
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
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 His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
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 “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
MartyrsnounUS /ˈmɑːrtərz/
plural of “martyr” — one who suffers for the sake of principle
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
mortalsnounUS /ˈmɔːrtəlz/
plural of “mortal” — a human being
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
information about recent and important events
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
nursedadjectiveUS /nɜːrst/
(of an infant) breast-fed
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
and nothing more
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
PenelopenounUS /pəˈneləpi/
(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
promotedverbUS /prəˈmoʊtɪd/
past form of “promote” — contribute to the progress or growth of
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
Shir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
not in physical motion
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
strongholdnounUS /ˈstrɔːŋhoʊld/
a strongly fortified defensive structure
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
unsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
unweariedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Haigh had insisted that he should be brought to the fort, and she and Penelope nursed him unweariedly.
precisely as stated
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
at the time that
From this reading From the first return to consciousness, his question was always for news of Ferrers; and when he was at last promoted from his bedroom to a couch in the drawing-room, he was still eager on the subject.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His convalescence was long and tedious, and complicated by attacks of fever; but he exhibited a constant patience which, as Lady Haigh said, was nothing but a reproach to ordinary mortals, and only showed what terrible people the Martyrs must have been to live with.
woundsnounUS /wuːndz/
plural of “wound” — an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading For some months after Ferrers’ departure for Gamara, Colin was kept a prisoner by the wounds received in the unsuccessful first attack on Shir Hussein’s stronghold.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Have you had many letters from George, Pen?” he asked his sister the very first day.
