used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
BOASTERnoun
a very boastful and talkative person
From this reading PEDRO THE BOASTER.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
corporalnounUS /ˈkɔːrpərəl/
a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
placed crosswise
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
displeasedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspliːzd/
not pleased; experiencing or manifesting displeasure
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
set up or found
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
Gonzales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
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 The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
the light of the Moon
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
PEDRO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEDRO THE BOASTER.
plazanounUS /ˈplɑːzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
posada
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
presidionounUS /prɪˈsɪdioʊ/
a fortress established in the southwestern United States by the Spanish in order to protect their missions and other holdings
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
remakingnounUS /ˈriːˈmeɪkɪŋ/
creation that is created again or anew
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
surlyadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrli/
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sergeant had learned long since that the fat landlord held him in terror, and did he but act surly and displeased he received excellent service.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PEDRO THE BOASTER.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
at the time that
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
belonging to which person
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading On this moonlight night, Sergeant Pedro Gonzales crossed the plaza with a corporal and a couple of soldiers, entered the inn, and called in a loud voice for the landlord to fetch wine and be quick about it.
wine-guzzling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Pedro Gonzales, a giant of a wine-guzzling soldier whose heart was as large as his capacity for liquor, was known as “Pedro the Boaster.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
the words that are spoken
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading When there were military duties to be done he was to be found at his post in the _presidio_, but at other times one found him at the village _posada_, sitting before the big fireplace and remaking the world with words.
