used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
CARNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARGARET CARNE.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
cricketernoun
an athlete who plays cricket
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
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 He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
MARGARET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARGARET CARNE.
Mervyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
Mervyn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
musiciannounUS /mjuːˈzɪʃən/
someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
newly-joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
by chance
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
scrapeverbUS /skreɪp/
scratch repeatedly
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
deliver by singing
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading He was far and away the best cricketer in the corps; he could sing a capital song, and was an excellent musician and the most pleasant of companions.
steeplechasenounUS /ˈstiːpəltʃeɪs/
a footrace of usually 3000 meters over a closed track with hurdles and a water jump
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
subalternnoun
a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was always ready to do his friends a service, and many a newly-joined subaltern who got into a scrape had been helped out by Ronald Mervyn's purse.
valournoun
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ronald Mervyn was, perhaps, the most popular man in his regiment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
which person or people
From this reading They were proud of him as one of the most daring steeplechase riders in the service, and as a man who had greatly distinguished himself by a deed of desperate valour in India.
