Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He apparently was as rugged and as vigorous as ever.

from appearances alone

From this reading He apparently was as rugged and as vigorous as ever.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

a final touch; a crowning achievement; a culmination

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

done or made or performed with purpose and intent

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

the quality of being disloyal

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

high status importance owing to marked superiority

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

to come or go into

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

at any time

From this reading He apparently was as rugged and as vigorous as ever.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

communicated in words

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

plural of “ideal” — the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

immediately past

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

a unit of instruction

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

like or characteristic of a mirror image

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

a structure erected to commemorate persons or events

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

a form of address for a man

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

by chance

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

plural of “read” — something that is read

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading He apparently was as rugged and as vigorous as ever.

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

in a serious manner

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

in a subtle manner

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

something that seduces or has the quality to seduce

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

without awareness

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity

From this reading He apparently was as rugged and as vigorous as ever.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

at the time that

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

which person or people

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is a story with a moral so subtly expressed that every soldier or sailor who reads it will think seriously of it if the temptation to such disloyalty should enter his mind.

produce a literary work

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading When Mr. Davis wrote the story of "The Deserter," he could not possibly have foreseen that it was to be his last story--the last of those short stories which gave him such eminence as a short-story writer.

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet, had he sat down to write a story which he knew was to be his last, I do not think he could have written one more fittingly designed to be the capstone of his literary monument.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The theme is one in which he has unconsciously mirrored his own ideals of honorable obligation, as well as one which presents a wholesome lesson to young soldiers who have taken an oath to do faithful service to a nation.