used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
from appearances alone
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
divisible by two
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
Flat-iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
gallopedverbUS /ˈɡæləpt/
past form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
a person who carries a message
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
a large and stately mansion
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
PiersnounUS /pɪrz/
plural of “pier” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
preliminaryadjectiveUS /prɪˈlɪməneri/
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
continue talking
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From time to time a messenger galloped down the Palace Road.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible to form any conjecture as to how the preliminary conflict was proceeding; it was not even certain that it had begun.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Slowly the day dragged on for the watchers in the "Flat-iron."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Piers Major had undoubtedly forced the passage of the bridge, but apparently he had been content with holding his advantage.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He might not begin to move until late in the day, and he would proceed slowly and cautiously.
