used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
baptismnounUS /ˈbæptɪzəm/
a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
clean-shavenadjective
closely shaved recently
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
cliff'snounUS /klɪfs/
possessive form of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
conferredverbUS /kənˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “confer” — have a conference in order to talk something over
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
exclusivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/
without any others being included or involved
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
Henry'snounUS /ˈhenriz/
possessive form of “henry” — a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
the state of being honored
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
JuliannounUS /ˈdʒuːliən/
Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
knighthoodnounUS /ˈnaɪthʊd/
aristocrats holding the rank of knight
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
march in a procession
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
Mesurier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
midwayadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdweɪ/
equally distant from the extremes
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
a particular point in time
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
a course of conduct
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
patronymicnounUS /ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk/
a family name derived from name of your father or a paternal ancestor (especially with an affix (such as -son in English or O'- in Irish) added to the name of your father or a paternal ancestor)
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
by chance
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
pignounUS /pɪɡ/
domestic swine
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
PiggynounUS /ˈpɪɡi/
a young pig
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
a light shade of red
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
preparatoryadjectiveUS /prɪˈperətɔːri/
preceding and preparing for something
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
an educational institution
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had inherited the patronymic of Le Mesurier, his parents in his baptism had given him the romantic name of Julian, and a grateful Government had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood.
precisely as stated
From this reading A very little hair appeared to grow reluctantly on his head; his face was pink and clean-shaven.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
which person or people
From this reading Henry’s chief was a large man who strongly resembled a clean and highly intelligent pig.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whilst Jane was running away from fear, down the gravel path of the cliff’s edge, Captain March was about midway through an interview with his chief.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add that, from the moment that he emerged from the nursery and set foot within the precincts of his first preparatory school, he had been known exclusively as “Piggy.”
