used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
(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 "That's all right, McShane," said Claverton.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
Claverton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's all right, McShane," said Claverton.
contingencynounUS /kənˈtɪndʒənsi/
a possible event or occurrence or result
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
characterized by great determination
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
foolsnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
gravernounUS /ˈɡreɪvər/
a tool used by an engraver
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
IrishmannounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
light-heartedadjective
carefree and happy and lighthearted
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
McShane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
by chance
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
preposterousadjectiveUS /prɪˈpɑːstərəs/
so unreasonable as to invite derision
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "That's all right, McShane," said Claverton.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That's all right, McShane," said Claverton.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's all right, McShane," said Claverton.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a long time McShane was firm.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But, eventually, seeing that they were determined to fight, and would probably do more mischief if left to themselves, he reluctantly agreed to act.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading They were a couple of fools, he thought; and would wing each other, perhaps; but on any graver contingency the light-hearted Irishman never reckoned.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would have nothing to do with so preposterous an arrangement--it wasn't fair to him--and so on.
