used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
consider or hold as true
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
BelmontnounUS /ˈbelmɑːnt/
a racetrack for thoroughbred racing in Elmont on Long Island; site of the Belmont Stakes
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
coollyadverbUS /ˈkuːli/
in a composed and unconcerned manner
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
endeavoredverbUS /ɪnˈdevərd/
past form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
at any time
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
with resolute determination
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
hold firmly
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
a particular point in time
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
Murray'snounUS /ˈmɜːriz/
possessive form of “murray” — British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
proctornounUS /ˈprɑːktər/
someone who supervises (an examination)
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
scrapeverbUS /skreɪp/
scratch repeatedly
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
not in physical motion
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
tenacitynounUS /təˈnæsɪti/
persistent determination
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “This is the first time I ever caught you in a scrape.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PRISONER The fatal power and tenacity of proctor Murray’s grasp was known to every student of Belmont College, if not by personal experience, at least by reputation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Still holding me firmly with one hand, he coolly scratched a match with the other, held it close to my face for an instant, and then extinguished it.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading From the moment I discovered that it was his hand upon my shoulder, I realized that further resistance would be worse than useless, so I stood perfectly still, and endeavored to accept the situation calmly.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Oh, it’s you, is it, Mr. Elder?” he said.
