used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN HONORED GUEST.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
a person who is in charge
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
one or the other of two
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading AN HONORED GUEST.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
HONOREDadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərd/
having an illustrious reputation; respected
From this reading AN HONORED GUEST.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
moonshinernoun
someone who makes or sells illegal liquor
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
mountaineersnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪnɪrz/
plural of “mountaineer” — someone who climbs mountains
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
go across or through
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
provokeverbUS /prəˈvoʊk/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
an angry dispute
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
staresnounUS /sterz/
plural of “stare” — a fixed look with eyes open wide
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
Thad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
a source of difficulty
From this reading That fact meant serious trouble for the scouts, if it happened to come to pass.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From this Thad was almost certain that there must be other fierce mountaineers close by, ready to back up their chief, should he provoke a quarrel with the strange boys in uniform.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He seemed utterly indifferent as to whether they chose to receive him either as a friend or a foe.
which person or people
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE boys looked at the moonshiner, who returned their stares with interest.
