used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
accusationnounUS /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/
a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
aidingverbUS /ˈeɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “aid” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
AlgiersnounUS /ælˈdʒɪrz/
an ancient port on the Mediterranean; the capital and largest city of Algeria
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
battlingverbUS /ˈbætəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
chargedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrdʒd/
of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
ConsternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
dark-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
an opposing military force
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
divisible by two
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
frightenverbUS /ˈfraɪtən/
cause fear in
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
GiraffenounUS /dʒərˈæf/
tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
guisenounUS /ɡaɪz/
an artful or simulated semblance
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thad managed to recover the use of his tongue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
M'sieu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Thad managed to recover the use of his tongue.
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 Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
MoorsnounUS /mʊrz/
plural of “moor” — one of the Muslim people of north Africa; of mixed Arab and Berber descent; converted to Islam in the 8th century; conqueror of Spain in the 8th century
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
MorocconounUS /mərˈɑːkoʊ/
a kingdom (constitutional monarchy) in northwestern Africa with a largely Muslim population; achieved independence from France in 1956
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
accept an excuse for
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading Thad managed to recover the use of his tongue.
express in words
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
shriftnounUS /ʃrɪft/
the act of being shriven
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
spyverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
summarilyadverbUS /səˈmerɪli/
without delay; in a summary manner
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
Thad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thad managed to recover the use of his tongue.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Pardon, M’sieu,” Thad had started to say, “there must be some terrible mistake about this.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Thad managed to recover the use of his tongue.
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
the act of using
From this reading Thad managed to recover the use of his tongue.
valiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/
Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Such a serious accusation is enough to frighten even the most valiant heart; for in many cases it means a short shrift and a file of soldiers, with a kneeling figure against a dead wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
at the time that
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
which person or people
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Consternation seized upon the boys when Giraffe was thus summarily arrested, and, in so many words, charged with aiding the enemy in the guise of a spy.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He faced the grim soldier who wore the marks of a colonel, which he probably had won over in Algiers or Morocco battling with dark-faced Moors or the tribes of the desert.
