used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
eagerly desirous
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
braverynounUS /ˈbreɪvəri/
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
disadvantagenounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
divisible by two
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
gallopingverbUS /ˈɡæləpɪŋ/
-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
only a very short time before
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
and nothing more
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
a particular point in time
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
easily agitated
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
information about recent and important events
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
a human being
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
provokeverbUS /prəˈvoʊk/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
with speed
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
slinkverb
walk stealthily
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A show of bravery was much more likely to serve them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
unimaginativeadjectiveUS /ənɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv/
deficient in originality or creativity; lacking powers of invention
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ANXIOUS DAYS For a moment, under the shock of the startling piece of news, Elizabeth was tempted to seize her sisters by the hand and run.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Elizabeth thought quickly, and even while her heart was galloping with nervous excitement, she made up her mind that to run away now was not the right course.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If there really was a native in hiding, he would certainly have seen them, and to run or slink away now would merely provoke pursuit, in which the fugitives would be at a great disadvantage.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Tommy was so practical and unimaginative a young person that she could hardly have been altogether mistaken, and a "little brown face," if face it was, must belong to a native.