used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
AlgiersnounUS /ælˈdʒɪrz/
an ancient port on the Mediterranean; the capital and largest city of Algeria
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mischief would have been done.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
cantered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
ClydenounUS /klaɪd/
a river in western Scotland that flows from the southern uplands into the Firth of Clyde; navigable by oceangoing vessels as far as Glasgow
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
declare untrue; contradict
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The mischief would have been done.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
opinion or judgment
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
fatalismnounUS /ˈfeɪtəlɪzəm/
a submissive mental attitude resulting from acceptance of the doctrine that everything that happens is predetermined and inevitable
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
Geradine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
horsemannounUS /ˈhɔːrsmən/
a man skilled in equitation
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
immediately past
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
engage in
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
Marny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading The mischief would have been done.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
attach to a support
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
not any; not one
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
on one occasion
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading If Clyde had already returned he would have arrived last night, a few minutes extra delay now would make no difference.
move hurridly
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
in the direction of
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
the act of using
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading For a few moments, Marny Geradine, fighting to keep her own mount to a standstill, watched the fast retreating horseman until his tall, upright figure was blurred by the rush of hot tears that filled her eyes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After all, what was the use of hurrying, she thought with a kind of dreary fatalism.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She forced them back before they fell, the relief of tears was a luxury she had learned to deny herself, and turning once more towards Algiers cantered forward as slowly as her eager horse would permit.
